New dam for AROB

 The people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville can now look forward to implementing high impact projects with an increased capacity to their electricity supply. 

This followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the K49 million (US$20 million) Ramazon Hydro Power Project in Buka last Friday.

The three parties which gave the go ahead for the construction of the project included PNG Power Ltd, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Ramazon landowners.

With initial works by the ABG in 2008, the project is now coming to reality, thanks to PPL through funding assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its town electrification improvement programme.

ABG President Chief Dr John Momis acknowledged the stakeholders and landowners for ensuring that the MoU was finally signed. 

He reiterated calls for PPL, ABG, ADB and the landowners to continue to work together in delivering the project for the people of Bougainville. 

“We must recognise that no man is an island and without the committed collaboration of our partners, nothing will happen. We will continue to sit on our rich resources and be left behind,” Momis said. 

“Electricity services are very important in any form of development and with Ramazon, we can further look at other hydro facilities in Central and South Bougainville.”

He said when power supply comes online to supply the northern tip of Bougainville, they will be able to see economic development in which they could participate in. 

“Now that we have signed the MOU, we must allow the developer (PNG Power) to come in and commence work and we will assist them in whatever way we can so that we can deliver this major project,” he added.

Ramazon Landowners chairman Daison Kaetavara gave his support for the project and acknowledged PPL for the commitment in getting it off the ground. 

“This is a high impact project and we the landowners are happy that the Ramazon HPP will pave the way forward and contribute towards the Bougainville’s development.”

Operating and maintenance general manager Martin Bigiglen said that PPL was ready to make the project a reality for Bougainville. 

Bigiglen said when completed, the project will enable PPL to have enough capacity on its power supply on the island region to cater for the increasing load demand.

“The support of the ABG and the Ramazon Landowners has been very good and I am sure this project will be delivered effectively on the back of such cooperation,” he said.

PNG Power Ltd is looking forward to working with the ABG and the Ramazon Landowners to develop and complete the Ramazon HPP by next December.