PNG Power linesmen get New Zealand connection

FOUR PNG Power officers will be training in Auckland courtesy of the New Zealand government to help them improve the provision of electricity services.
New Zealand High Commissioner Sue Mackwell told The National that it was an ongoing support that they were providing for the PNG Government.
NZ government’s assistance for the training is costing about K422,000 for the three linesmen and a trainer.
“This is the second time, last year there were three linesmen and this year we have got four,” Mackwell said.
“They get to experience what it’s like to be a linesmen in New Zealand.
“They will be working in an environment that’s similar to PNG so hopefully they can learn a lot and bring all that back to PNG.
“They will be in West Auckland where there are a lot of Maori Pacific Island communities.
“I know that PPL values the programme because it gives them on-the-ground experience which they can bring back to the country.
“This is our short-term training programme as part of our development programmes which allows for short courses that help practical instruction and education on the ground working with others, so they will be out in the field.”
PPL acting chief executive Douglas Mageo said the level of skills for New Zealand and Australia was higher than PNG and they would like to continue this programme which would benefit PPL and PNG.
“The key thing is that we develop our people at the level where they are on par with linesmen overseas. They can also be trainers and that’s investing in our people as well.”
Distribution lines trainer Sixtus Weihau said the programmes would be “very beneficial in the trade and also safety aspects of the job” which he would use to train the apprentice of the PPL Training College.
Foreman Paul Odei said he was honoured to be part of the programme and thanked the New Zealand government and PNGPL for the opportunity.
Raymond Kaola echoed shared similar sentiments stressing on the technical skills they will gain.
Team leader Jerome Abkosa said energy was the source that determined development and PNG needed more lining for distribution of power to connect lots
of customers to increase generation.
“We have training in the country but it is good to learn from our counterparts and this programme must continue,” Abkosa said.