Sumkar needs help to power up community

THE Sumkar development authority wants to make the district a model district but needs the government’s assistance to power up its community.
Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi told Parliament yesterday that in line with his district plans, they had built a mini corrugated iron-roof factory on Karkar Island to supply roofing iron to the people.
However, he said that electrification was a problem and wanted the national government to help with the electrification of the project though plans announced by Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the United States to power up 70 per cent of nation over the next 10 years.
“We will be producing roofing iron and V-crimp for the walls of houses on the island.”
Nangoi said he attended the Apec meeting in November and learnt of the commitment to provide power to 70 per cent of the people in PNG by 2030.
“To hear of the funding was a bonus for my rural community on Karkar Island as electricity is a major need of the people there,” he said.
“We took the initiative to build permanent houses starting this year. After this Parliament session, we will launch the mini factory for roofing iron and v-crimps and allow the people to build permanent houses so I want to ask if my district can pilot the programme as we want it to make it a model district in the country.
Minister for Petroleum Fabian Pok said by 2030 about 70 per cent of the population and particularly those in the remote districts would have electricity lighting up their households through a K3 billion funding.
He said the government would be fair to every district to roll out the electricity project based on their needs.
He said this would modernise many of the remote communities and districts.
Dr Pok said the country would look into hydro, solar and gas powered electricity.