PPL boss hails Japan for aid

By PETER ESILA
PNG Power Ltd (PPL) managing director Flagon Bekker has thanked the Japanese government for the K32 million grant assistance provided for rural electrification.
The grant, under the PNG electrification partnership (PEP), was signed by Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States in November 2018 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby.
Japanese Ambassador Kuniyuki Nakahara signed the relevant paperwork with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Soroi Eoe in Port Moresby on Friday.
“We look to our other PEP partners to engage,” Bekker told The National after the signing ceremony.
“Rural electrification is a critical element for PNG Power as we look to electrify 70 per cent of the population by 2030.
“There is a lot of effort going on at the local government level.
“We have done 15 to 20 projects in the past two to three years (to make) a big difference to people’s lives.”
Nakahara said the K32 million was to extend the grid lines and provide electricity to about 5,000 families in Ramu, Madang.
“Japan has already engaged in the construction of an additional high voltage transmission line of about 140km, to achieve stability of the grid in Lae,” he said.
“But those living under the transmission lines have not benefited from this project.”
He commended Bekker for “making great efforts to achieve institutional reforms and improve (PNG Power) service”.
He said Japan wanted to fulfil its commitment to implement PEP and to support PNG Power.