Power outage grips PNG

PORT Moresby, parts of Highlands, Mamose and Manus were hit with power and water outages yesterday.
At a glance:

• PORT Moresby electricity and water supply were shut off by disgruntled Koiari landowners following a no-show over a K15 million royalty package;
• A POWER outage affected the Ramu hydro power grid supplying the entire highlands, Lae and Madang;
• WEWAK has been without electricity for days with power rationing to Boram Hospital; and,
• MANUS is rationing power at the present time.

Koiari landowners gained entry into the PNG Power facility at Rouna Two at 2am yesterday and forcefully shut down power and water supply to the city.
The landowners claim they have been promised K15 million by the Government to be delivered on Sept 16, but it had not eventuated.
Trees were felled across the Sogeri road at many points but police managed to clear the road later.
Responding to questions from Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu on the issue in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister James Marape assured the landowners that K5 million had already been allocated and the remaining K10 million would be paid “as early as possible”.
In negotiations between PNG Power and the police, the landowners were adamant that the Government must pay the K15 million before they move out of the power station gates and let operations resume.
As the same Rouna river supplies water and powers the Rouna hydro, the city was paralysed of both essential services.
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern at the disruptions to business and essential services and called for sterner police action.
Chamber president Rio Fiocco said: “The actions of a small group of landowners is putting people’s lives at risk. The police need to arrest those people who are blocking water and power supply to our amazing Port Moresby.”
PNG Power advised customers within the Ramu Power grid that as of 2.41 am yesterday, the system experienced technical issues causing power to fluctuate, eventually leading to a total system outage.
Areas mostly affected on this total outage are Kundiawa, Kudjip, Mt Hagen and Wabag.
The company also advised that Lorengau, Manus began load-shedding yesterday due to limited fuel stock.
In Wewak, the provincial administrator appealed for calm and for understanding at the town entered the eight day without power and with limited power supply to the Boram Hospital.
Meanwhile, Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the hospital is using its standby generators and water tanks to continue its services.
He said the hospital had 12 power generators and three back-up water tanks.
“We hope this issue (landowners’ protest) is resolved immediately.”