Rural community set to complete hydropower project

The National National
Gunangi community members in Sinasina-Yongomugl, Chimbu, working on the site of their mini hydropower project. – Picture supplied

By SAMUEL BARIASI
SINASINA-YONGOMUGL’s remote Gunangi community in Chimbu is set to complete its mini hydropower project soon with a recent K400,000 commitment from local MP and Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua.
Project chairman James Waula said the community would use the funding to purchase pipes, build transformer stations and upgrade the output of the electricity supply.
“We want to supply electricity to more than 1,000 homes,” he said.
Waula said the project was funded mostly by the community members’ contributions through coffee, kaukau and vegetables sales.
The community initially raised almost K100,000 for the project.
“We believe in working hard and we thank Kua for the support through the district development authority,” Waula said.
“We started on our own and we don’t want to depend on the Government for free handouts.”
Kua said he was pleased with the community’s efforts and that he would continue to support the project to ensure electricity reached other areas as well.
Waula said the project was delayed due to funding constraints, but hoped to complete it next year with the district’s support.