WHP ‘power theft’ capital: Nupuri

By JAMES GUMUNO
WESTERN Highlands leads the country in illegal electricity connections, says PNG Power chairman Peter Nupuri.
Nupuri said a survey found that the province boasted the most cases of electricity thefts in the country.
Connecting power illegally is a dangerous exercise, he said.
“I do not want to know about anyone electrocuted on the power poles while trying to do illegal connection,” Nupuri said.
Nupuri revealed the survey results on Wednesday during the launch of the new 132kV power transmission lines from Mt Hagen to Tari, in the Hela, by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Nupuri said PNG Power was a service provider which needed to make money to sustain its operations and provide better service.
He said illegal connections were costing the company a lot of money.
“I want to appeal to the people of Western Highlands to stop stealing electricity and visit our officers to connect your homes with power supply,” he said.
Nupuri said illegal connection was an offence and those found would be arrested and charged.
He said people should stick to lawful cponnections to light up their homes.
He said it was not fair that some people were using electricity illegally while the majority were paying for the service.
Electricity supplied from Hides Gas in Hela would meet the demand ofthe Highlands region, Nupuri said.
He said the power lines would follow the main highway, in four stages, from Mt Hagen to Tari.
He said that every community would be connected with electricity.
Nupuri said the current power supply from Yonki hydro station was not enough to meet the demands of the growing population.