Morobe Power Crisis Threatens PNG’s Industrial and Economic Activity, Basil Says
Persistent power outages in PNG’s industrial heartland of Morobe are disrupting businesses, essential services and communities, with Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jnr warning that the situation is placing further strain on the country’s economy.
Mr Basil said Morobe had endured daily electricity cuts of more than four to five hours for over six months, affecting households, businesses, schools, health facilities and public institutions across the province.
He said the situation was particularly concerning because Morobe, with Lae as its economic centre, plays a major role in PNG’s industrial, commercial, transport and food-production sectors.
Morobe receives electricity from the Yonki grid, Baiune Power Station in Bulolo, Lae Diesel Power Station and Munum Power Station, which supply communities and businesses throughout the province.
Mr Basil said the continued disruptions were forcing businesses to find their own solutions, including purchasing generators to keep their operations running.
“It is appalling that every business now has to purchase power generators as a necessity whilst the people and small business are basically at the mercy of the PNG Power,” he said.
He said the province could not continue operating under prolonged uncertainty over electricity supply.
“The people of Morobe has been without power for well over 6 months. We cannot put up with this poor negligence of good service,” Mr Basil said.
The Bulolo MP said Morobe’s economic contribution made reliable electricity essential, pointing to major industries and companies operating in the province.
These include Hidden Valley Mine, Zenag Chicken, Mainland Holdings, Ramu Agri Industry, Trukai, Goodman Fielder International, PNG Forest Products, Kenmore Industries and Lae Biscuits.
He said many of these businesses produce food and other essential goods for consumers across PNG, meaning disruptions in Morobe could have consequences beyond the province.
“PNG Power must know that Morobe is not a random province with transmission lines running across without distribution. Power generation and supply for Lae and Bulolo and the Morobe Province impacts the economy,” he said.
Mr Basil said authorities needed to identify and address the causes of the outages, whether they were linked to generation capacity, damaged transmission lines, failed equipment or fallen power poles.
He also called for immediate investment in electricity infrastructure in Lae, Bulolo and other parts of Morobe if additional spending was required to restore a dependable supply.
“We need constant and consistent supply of electricity so as our public administration so as the schools, churches and the community and the general business and industry,” he said.
Mr Basil has called on the Minister for State Enterprises, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, the Minister for International Investment and Trade and PNG Power’s board and management to take immediate action.
“I am asking on the Minister for State Enterprises, the KCHL, Minister for International Investments and Trade and PNG Power Ltd Board and management to immediately address this issue,” he said.
Mr Basil said Morobe had endured daily electricity cuts of more than four to five hours for over six months, affecting households, businesses, schools, health facilities and public institutions across the province.
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| Morobe Power Crisis Threatens PNG’s Industrial and Economic Activity, Basil Says/Photo supplied |
He said the situation was particularly concerning because Morobe, with Lae as its economic centre, plays a major role in PNG’s industrial, commercial, transport and food-production sectors.
Morobe receives electricity from the Yonki grid, Baiune Power Station in Bulolo, Lae Diesel Power Station and Munum Power Station, which supply communities and businesses throughout the province.
Mr Basil said the continued disruptions were forcing businesses to find their own solutions, including purchasing generators to keep their operations running.
“It is appalling that every business now has to purchase power generators as a necessity whilst the people and small business are basically at the mercy of the PNG Power,” he said.
He said the province could not continue operating under prolonged uncertainty over electricity supply.
“The people of Morobe has been without power for well over 6 months. We cannot put up with this poor negligence of good service,” Mr Basil said.
The Bulolo MP said Morobe’s economic contribution made reliable electricity essential, pointing to major industries and companies operating in the province.
These include Hidden Valley Mine, Zenag Chicken, Mainland Holdings, Ramu Agri Industry, Trukai, Goodman Fielder International, PNG Forest Products, Kenmore Industries and Lae Biscuits.
He said many of these businesses produce food and other essential goods for consumers across PNG, meaning disruptions in Morobe could have consequences beyond the province.
“PNG Power must know that Morobe is not a random province with transmission lines running across without distribution. Power generation and supply for Lae and Bulolo and the Morobe Province impacts the economy,” he said.
Mr Basil said authorities needed to identify and address the causes of the outages, whether they were linked to generation capacity, damaged transmission lines, failed equipment or fallen power poles.
He also called for immediate investment in electricity infrastructure in Lae, Bulolo and other parts of Morobe if additional spending was required to restore a dependable supply.
“We need constant and consistent supply of electricity so as our public administration so as the schools, churches and the community and the general business and industry,” he said.
Mr Basil has called on the Minister for State Enterprises, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, the Minister for International Investment and Trade and PNG Power’s board and management to take immediate action.
“I am asking on the Minister for State Enterprises, the KCHL, Minister for International Investments and Trade and PNG Power Ltd Board and management to immediately address this issue,” he said.
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