PM wants electricity price reduced

By HELEN TARAWA
FINSCHHAFEN MP Renbow Paita has been urged to reduce the cost of electricity as the new minister for Communication Information and Energy.
Prime Minister James Marape, who announced his cabinet on Friday, said Paita would also be taking under his ministry two state-owned entities, Telikom PNG and PNG Power Ltd.
“We will have one minister presiding over these two agencies. If we can bring the cost of power down in this country, we are doing our service a great favour,” Marape said.
“As I put chairman for PNG Power Peter Nupiri and acting managing director Carolyn Blacklock on notice, your job is to bring the cost of power down in this country. I don’t care how you find it, find the formula. You’ve got enough experience.”
Marape also told Paita that the cost of communication also needed to be brought down.
“Telikom also, you are put on notice. If Digicel can be 100 per cent all over the country, then Telkom you must be 100 per cent all over the country too.”
The prime minister, who announced his cabinet ministers after the swearing in on Friday, said the cabinet, which included a mix of youth and experience, had been drawn from across the coalition and would be tasked with addressing the immediate priority – reforming the economy and enhancing social inclusion.
“The task before government is large. The challenges are great, but through hard work and consultation we can take back PNG and build a strong nation for the future,” he said.
“Together we will transform our great generation-building on the successes of the past, addressing the challenges of the future and bringing increased wealth, prosperity to and opportunity to all.”