MICAH REFUTES OPPOSITIONS

Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investments has urged media houses and commentators on Social Media as well as fellow members of parliament NOT to mislead the public with their negative comments on the State of Emergency exercise.
Ben Micah, when giving progressive update on the SOE in a media conference at Parliament house yesterday (Wednesday 14-01-15) said, the whole exercise is not to hurt electricity users with the use of security forces, but to help resurrect the current state of electricity services in the country.
He said as minister responsible, he has done it according to the laws, after careful study on the whole power issues in the country.
Micah's statements follows numerous negative comments from the Opposition, the Unions as well as individuals, who claimed that the S-O-E is unconstitutional and is unnecessary.
"I want to make it categorically clear that the state of emergency has been declared to ensure that the issue of electricity services as an essential service throughout the country is addressed to a level that it does not affect the public, institutions, the workings of companies which are very vital to the economy of our country.This state of emergency is not about collecting debts, is not about using the PNG defence force and the police to collect debts is not also purely about PNGPower.So this state of emergency and my powers that have been exercised under the Essential Services Act which are in full compliance with the constitution of our country are to deal with the electricity service.PNG Power has the biggest provider of electricity and also as the regulator of electricity is at the forefront of the all exercise".

PNG Today /NBC