PNG Power Limited starts disconnections on illegal power connections

PNG Power Limited is clamping down on businesses’ illegally accessing electricity within Port Moresby.

Beginning Monday, PPL is targeting business houses illegally by-passing the billing meter and illegally getting direct feeds for their operations.

Two businesses have had their intake lines totally disconnected while others have been issued with warnings to pay up or also face disconnections.

Illegal connections are nothing new.

The illegal practice by business houses and residences has cost the power company millions of kina over the years, making it difficult for the company to even pay dividends to the state as it is supposed to.

Under its new management, PPL is clamping down hard firstly on businesses, with residential properties to follow.

On Monday the MLT Holdings at Boroko had both its main lines completely cut off.

James Francis from PPL’s Electrical Survey Office said the company did not have a billing meter and was illegally using power for some time.

The company will be investigated, with their back payments calculated for payment before reconnection.

One business at Taurama had issues that even pointed back to PPL employees with investigations to get underway to identify offenders,

Mr Francis has made clear that though the law has been broken, PNG Power is lenient enough to give time for these customers to repay what they owe.

Today, a repeat offender of Bangladeshi origin and owner of Suksuk Trading at Hohola, and two other stores at Morata and Sabama could not be located as he is wanted for questioning by PPL and police.

Connections to all three businesses were cut off completely.

It was explained to his employees that being a repeat offender, the owner needs to present himself to the PPL office to explain and pay his dues before any reconnections can be made.

PPL officials say this is just the beginning.

Many businesses stealing power have been identified and will be targeted in the coming days.

Similar exercises will also be carried out in other major centers of the country like Lae and Mount Hagen.

The disconnections will move to residential properties with those still illegally connected urged to visit the PPL offices and be properly registered and billed according to their usage.