K200,000 for power project

 THE delayed rural electrification programme in the Rabaul district will get underway with funding available from the district services improvement programme (DSIP).

An allocation of K200,000 was approved by  the Rabaul joint district planning and budget priorities committee (JDP&BPC) for extension into 

second and third phases.

The programme had progressed into its second phase last year but was stopped due to insufficient supply of hardware lines and other equipment as funding for the programme was to have been sourced from the DSIP funds.

The second phase started from Tavui Three in the Balanataman LLG and progressed to Matalau in the Kombiu LLG when work was stopped.

The first phase of the programme had covered 3km from Tavui 

No1 junction to Tavui Three, and  Iawakaka ward, which was completed and commissioned by PNG Power Ltd in 2010.

When responding to queries raised by the chairman of JDP&BPC and Rabaul Open MP Dr Allan Marat at the committee meeting regarding the progress of the work, district works supervisor Bernie Wogan said that with the forthcoming funds, the district would be able to access additional hardware and other accessories to complete the second phase and advance to the third phase.

The second phase will cover resettlement areas of Rabaul located in Kokopo, Gazelle and Pomio districts and power extension from Kaivuna, in Rabaul town, to Matupit Island.

Local company Arpi Ltd has been approved as the supplier of over K400,000 of hardware lines for the remaining phases.

Arpi was the only company in the province vetted by PNG Power Ltd to procure hardware lines under PNG Power specifications and standards.