New site for hydro facility identified, says Kapavore

POMIO MP Elias Kapavore says a new site has been identified for the construction of a hydro facility in the Palmalmal government station in East New Britain (ENB). “The previous site was at Unung River located in the West Mamusi local level government (LLG), but feasibility study found it to be not suitable,” he said. “If a dam was built in Unung it would collapse because of the (loose) soil composition in the area.” Kapavore said the new site was at Tolo River, also located in the West Pomio Mamusi LLG. Kapavore said the developer, AG Energy, advised that when the construction was complete, it could produce between 12 and 15 megawatts. “Hopefully, when the facility is completed, it will solve a lot problems, opening up many economic activities such as downstream processing,” he said. “Another project that is still on hold is the rehabilitation of several rural airstrips in the districts by the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) which I will follow up with the RAA and the minister responsible on what is causing the delay. “Work can then be fast-tracked because the Pomio development authority (DDA) board had already paid up its counterpart funding of K460,000.” While giving the brief account of all the projects for Pomio, Kapavore commended the ENB government for committing funds worth K1 million to the Jacquinot Bay airstrip rehabilitation, which is also being considered by the civil aviation development investment programme 2 (CADIP) for upgrading. He also said after Jacquinot Bay airstrip was rehabilitated, it could take on Dash 7 and 8 aircraft. “Most of the airstrips in the districts are located in the remote areas and the RAA is urged to resume work to help those communities travel and transport their cash crops and fresh produce to markets,” he said. Another impact project for the district is the country’s first district hospital, currently under construction at the Palmalmal government station – funded by the Asian Development Bank.