Project launch set to see Hela, SHP light up

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE people of Hela and Southern Highlands will be supplied electricity from the Hide gas power plant – 25 years after the project began.
Managing director of the Kumul Petroleum Holding Limited Wapu Sonk said during the launching of the Wabia substation in the Hulia local level government last Friday it was time to give something back to the resource owners.
He said the company in partnership with PNG Power would supply electricity to homes in Hela and Southern Highlands in appreciation for the people’s contribution to nation building when they supplied oil and gas from their land. KPHL will fund the project for K67 million.
The high voltage power lines will run from Mt Hagen to Mendi, then from Mendi to Tari, Tari to Alimbu junction and then to Hides. Another will run from Alimbu to Koroba on high transmitter pylons while the low power voltage will connect to families from Nipa to Tari.
Another loop will run from Mendi to Kandep, then to Magarima and to the main Mendi-Tari main high voltage power supply. There will also a loop for Ialibu-Kagua and Pangia.
PNG Power managing director Carolyn Blacklock who was dressed in Huli spoke in Huli.
Sonk said electricity was important for human development because it could transform the lives of the people.
He said power from gas would be cheap and warned the people not to connect power illegally or steal power using illegal means.
Sonk handed over a vehicle to police to monitor the project.