New Zealand helping to light up rural communities

By LUKE KAMA
THE New Zealand government believes that providing electricity to rural communities in Papua New Guinea can improve living standards, an official says.
New Zealand development counsellor to Papua New Guinea Catherine Pierce made the statement at Vesulogo village in Sogeri yesterday when commissioning the implementation of a K2.6million rural electrification project funded through the New Zealand Aid programme.
“We believe that bringing electricity to the rural people can change lives by opening up business and economic opportunities to improve the people’s livelihoods,” Pierce said.
She said providing electricity to rural communities was an expensive exercise and urged the people to look after the project.
The project was implemented by PNG Power Limited and contractors Gee and Dee Engineering and Crousor Contractor Limited.
PNG Power acting managing director Carolyn Blacklock said the project comprised two components – the construction of a 13-kilometer 22-kilovolt power transmission lines from Bisiatabu to Ower’s Corner, and the connection of service lines to the communities.
“About 200 households were already being connected with electricity supply under this project and the connections are done free of charge under this project,” she said.
Project manager Nick Mapun said minimum supply kits (MSK) which include a meter box, power points with extensions and two light bulbs were issued to each family for free.