Logging ship damages island’s power cable

ABOUT 3,000 people are without power on Krangket Island in Madang after a logging ship destroyed a submarine cable supplying power to the island.
Krangket Island councillor Rodney Selarn met with the agents of the ship, representatives of PNG Power, officers from the National Maritime and Safety Authority, PNG Customs and district administrator.
“(We) have two more weeks (before we) send children back to school,” he said.
“This is a huge blow to the people of Krangket island (who) need electricity now.”
It is alleged that the ship had dragged its anchor along the sea floor destroying the cable running between the Madang Resort and the island.
The cost of the damage is estimated to be more than K500,000.
PNG Customs manager Anthony Brabar said the ship was supposed to stop over at the main Madang wharf for Customs clearance before continuing onto Bunabun to collect logs.
It was then to continue to Oro to collect more cargo before departing PNG.
PNG Power representative Stanis Tibong said technicians from Lae would be travelling to Madang to assess the damage.
Sir Peter Barter, the managing director of the Melanesian Tourist Services Ltd said there was an immediate solution to supply power to the people on the island.
“An immediate solution would be to install a temporary generator that will supply power to the people, but this is only temporary,” he said.
Jeffery Ling, a representative of Madang Timbers, said the company would pay for the generator.