Power woes affecting businesses in city

THE ongoing power problems in Port Moresby are having a detrimental effect on business and industry, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of PNG.
Association president Paul Sayer said businesses were bearing the brunt of PNG Power’s failure to provide a reliable and constant power supply in the capital city.
“The (association) is gravely concerned that the constant power blackouts and prolonged outages are forcing our members and other businesses to rely on private generator sets as their primary source of power,” he said.
“This is becoming an unnecessarily expensive exercise because PNG Power has failed miserably in its role as the primary source of power.
“It is painfully clear that PNG Power is a failed State entity, which needs a complete overhaul of its operations with a massive upgrading of its power generation and distribution infrastructure.”
Sayer said Government intervention was urgently needed to resolve PNG Power’s operational and financial issues. “Appropriate options must be implemented to either transform PNG Power into a more efficient and reliable power provider or replace it with a reputable independent power producer,” he added.
“PNG Power should not be allowed to hold the nation’s capital to ransom with constant blackouts and prolonged outages.
“A modern capital city like Port Moresby must have a reliable power supply that will sustain its economic and social well-being.”