Mendi tribes support PPL in disconnection exercise
Four major tribes surrounding the township of Mendi, in the Southern Highlands province, have agreed to support PNG Power Limited (PPL) officers to carry out a major disconnection exercise on illegal power connectors.
The Kiburu, Wa’a, Wakwak and Tende tribes met with PPL Asset Manager Mendi, Noah Ipmasua and agreed to support the work of PPL.
The PPL Mendi team has done a lot of awareness campaigns in close consultation with the Tribes and locals about the importance of power supply, illegal connections and electricity safety and the general feedback was highly commendable when they are appreciating PPLs work apart from being the provider of electricity services.
The local tribes are working alongside the PPL Mendi team and have informed PPL about the rampant use of illegal power connections in their households. Their commitment to assisting PPL minimizing illegal connections in Mendi is commendable.
The councillors are concerned about their safety and that of the community as such illegal connections are dangerous for families living within their tribal area.
The most common form of illegal connection within Mendi is the direct connection from the Low Voltage lines to a household, bypassing either the Esipay or a metre box straight into a switchboard.
With the support of the four tribal leaders and their youths, a major crackdown on illegal connections will commence, starting this week in collaboration with PPL’s nationwide mass disconnection exercise.
Chris Bais, Chief Executive Officer, PNG Power Ltd
