POWERLESS IN MENDI

 

THE famous powerhouse in the suburb of Magani in Mendi Town.

MAGANI IN DARKNESS

More than 10,000 people living in the Magani area of Mendi, where the PNG Power standby generator is located, have been living in darkness for more than a month.

Frustrated residents raised their concerns yesterday with spokesman Felix Gilbert, saying that the small generator gives power to other areas in Mendi town and they are living in darkness.

“We live where the standby generator is, the generator stationed at Magani yet we are not having the access to power,” he said.

“A lot of public servants work and live here, even the Department of Works branch located in Magani area too is in darkness, we are in darkness for months now.”

Mr Gilbert said that many people use power to cook, wash and drink but the continuous power problem in the province and small generator not giving services makes life so difficult to live.

People milling around the Magani market outside the power station.

“Magani Market area including PTB works compound are in the centre of Mendi town, it’s not far, others are powered while we are left out,” he said.

He said that he understands that the generator is small, they need to balance the electricity supply making sure every people living in town have access to power.

He said that they are human beings like any other human beings work and live in town doing what we are doing to make the economy of the province as well as country flow in small way we can.

“Magani is well known in the province for contributing to the economy of the  province. This area is the major contributor of the economy of the province where we supply betel nut here from Lae and Madang, the money we make used within our town and province and we deserve electricity supply,” he said.

He said that they do not have constant power supply from the main PNG power supply and most of the time they rely on the small standby generator.

“When this small generator malfunctioned it will affect all Mendi town area. This is a long time generator which have been here for ages and it also needs a new big generator to power all Mendi town,” Mr Gilbert said.

Words & Pictures by KOLOPU WAIMA of Post-Courier