The residents of Morobe Province continue to face severe power instability, accessing electricity from the Yonki Grid, the Baiune Power Station in Bulolo, and the Lae Diesel and Munum Power Stations- all distributed across the region by PNG Power Limited.
Vice Minister for Mining and Sports and Member for Bulolo Sam Basil Jnr, voiced strong frustration over the prolonged blackouts, stating that power supply is cut off daily between four to five hours which has been continuing for months.
Highlighting the crippling impact on critical infrastructure, he stressed that electricity is essential for health and education facilities, public services, and local businesses.
“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 PNG Power,” Minister Basil said.
“The people of Morobe have been without power for well over six months. We cannot put up with this poor negligence of good service.”
Addressing the persistent excuses regarding utility operations, Basil argued that the state-owned supplier must take immediate responsibility.
“We cannot continue to be told that PNG Power has issues and problems. We need to start solutions in some districts or provinces.”
“PNG Power may be bankrupt, but that blanket excuse cannot be applied everywhere. We must be serious with managing risks and situations.”
Emphasizing the province’s key economic role, Basil reminded authorities of Morobe’s vital contribution to Papua New Guinea.
“Morobe is the industrial capital of PNG, an air, sea, and land transport hub that serves PNG and hosts many educational institutions,” he noted, citing major agricultural and industrial operators such as the Hidden Valley Mine, Zenag Chicken, New Guinea Table Birds, Ramu Agri Industries, Trukai Industries, Homestate, Goodman Fielder International, PNG Forest Products, Kenmore Industries, and Lae Biscuits.
“PNG Power must know that Morobe is not a random province with transmission lines running across without distribution.”
“Power generation and supply for Lae, Bulolo, and the Morobe Province directly impacts the economy.”
Calling for urgent state intervention, Basil urged PNG Power to act immediately.
“Whether it is the power generation in Yonki, fallen transmission lines, blown-up transformers, or fallen power poles, PNG Power must stand up and deal with this critical matter.”
“If it means investing immediately in Lae and Morobe Province, this must happen, as so much money is generated by PNG Power in Morobe Province.”
Reiterating the basic rights of his constituents, Basil concluded with a direct appeal to leadership:
“The people of Bulolo and Morobe are citizens of PNG and are entitled to electricity. Do we have to wait for 12 months?”
“We need constant and consistent supply of electricity for public administration, schools, churches, the community, and general industry.”
“I am asking the Minister for State Enterprises, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited (KCHL), the Minister for International Investment and Trade, and the PNG Power Ltd Board and management to immediately address this issue.”
