Kokoda locals register firm to benefit from hydro project

By STEPHANIE BAWO
LANDOWNERS in the Kokoda district in Northern, where the Devune hydro electricity project is located, want to enjoy the spin-off benefits from the project.
And more than 20 clans from the project area have registered a landowner company called Jivune Hydro Ltd which includes landowners from within the project area.
The Devune hydro electricity project is one of four funded by the Asian Development Bank and developed by PNG Power Ltd.
Two others are located in Central and one in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Company adviser Jerry Geno Noese said the development of the project was crucial to the Oro people as it would raise living standards and stimulate economic activity in the province.
“The development of this project is to commence in January next year with the ground-breaking ceremony to take place at the end of this month,” Noese said.
He said landowner issues and disputes hindered development and having a landowner company should avoid such problems.
Chairman of the Jivune Hydro Ltd, James Kei, said with the company registered, all landowner issues would be sorted out at the company level. He assured PNG Power Ltd and the ADB that there would not be any problems in developing the project.
Godwyn Taimbari of Oro Development Consultants said the development of the Devune hydro was a dream come true for the people as they had waited for over 15 years to see it become a reality.