PNGSDP lights up Simbu health

A HEALTH centre in Goglme within the Gembogl district in Simbu province will finally have electricity supply thanks to the K278,200 from local MPs and the PNG Sustainable Development Programme.
PNG Power Ltd’s (PPL) rural electricity division will start work on the distribution lines which had stopped about 3km down from the health centre.
Simbu Governor Fr John Garia and Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine together contributed K125,000 while PNGSDP contributed K153,200.
Yesterday PNGSDP chief executive officer David Sode officially announced PNGSDP’s support after being informed that the two MP’s allocation was ready to be released.
Mr Sode particularly emphasised the need for people and local communities to lead themselves in bringing much needed communal projects to their own areas before assistance can be rendered.
“We look for people who help themselves. We come in as partners. We saw that people of Goglme put their own efforts in building the health centre. They raised half a million for it,” Mr Sode said.
On hand to receive the announcement of the funds was PPL’s director for rural electricity development Daniel Muturam who said it costs PPL about K100,000 to pull a kilometre of distribution lines for electricity supply and three weeks to do the work but depended on road conditions and terrain.
Mr Muturam said the Government last year gave K500,000 for the HV lines to be pulled in that part of the area but due to bad road conditions and rugged terrain, PPL could not continue but used the money to purchase materials.
Mr Sode said the health centre served about 10,000 people so for it to have electricity supply and water was important.
Staff from the two Simbu MPs’ office also witnessed the event.