Power plan to raise living standards

 ACCESS to electricity is an important indicator to measure the living standards of people, Rabaul district administrator Marakan Uvano says.

He said that during the commissioning of the second phase of the 6km rural electrification project from Korere to Matalau junction in Kombiu local level government last Thursday.

“I believe the accessible power now will raise the living standards for people in this area along the coast. We may not see it but if we conduct a survey we will see it will create a difference in the lives of the people,” he said.

Uvano said people should pursue business opportunities as a source of income for their families.

The first phase of the project covered 3km from Tavui 3 to Korere and had been commissioned. 

District works supervisor Bernie Wogan said the second phase rural electrification project cost K1,250,000. 

He said there were three components – K800,000 to procure lines hardware, K150,000 to hire the crane truck and K300,000 for construction.

Uvano admitted that rural electrification was a major challenge for the Rabaul district administration.

“This was the first time for the district administration to go into rural electrification as in the past it was taken on at the provincial level,” he said.

“We were venturing into uncharted waters and were a bit uneasy that it would not be done right but we managed the different stakeholders with different interests.”

He added that PNG Power Ltd was the regulator, while ARPI Limited procured materials and BTK Ltd did the construction work.

Uvano thanked Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat for supporting the project.