Sandaun villages light up

Momase, Normal
Source:

By JEFFREY ELAPA

TWO remote villages in the Aitape-Lumi district in Sandaun province no longer need to worry about buying kerosene after receiving solar street lights from Solar Energy Systems.
The Miwaute and Wilbeite along the Torricelli ranges in the Aitape-Lumi district received three solar street lights after one of their sons decided to donate the lights to help the villagers who have been without electricity for many years.
The district is also one of the disadvantaged parts of the electorate with no road system and people had to walk for four or five hours to the nearest main road.
Solar Energy Systems Madang operations branch manager Tony Benedict said the nationally-owned company, which is based in Madang, donated the three solar street lights to the two remote villages as part of the company’s corporate responsibility to help the rural folk.
“I grew up in the village and I know the needs of the people so I decided to donate the lights to make a difference in the lives of the villagers,” he said.
Mr Benedict said the solar equipment was shipped from Madang to Wewak then transported into Lumi where villagers carried the equipment by foot.
He said despite the hardship and difficulties faced with accessing Government services, the people celebrated Christmas and New Year with the new solar street lights that lighted up the villages.
“The villagers were surprised and amazed with the new technology when the lights were switched on using remote daylight switching.
“The villagers are now able to have meetings and tell stories throughout the night as lighting is not a problem anymore.”