Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has turned on gas turbines .
Speech by Prime Minister O'Neill I know that we have gone through many debates and discussions on this issue about this particular power generation facility last year. Governments deliberate direct intervention about the purchase of this particular power generator has been delivered in the sense that the government continues to recognize the dire shortage of energy in the country. Many of us on a day-to-day basis experience the Power blackouts. Our country deserves more. Our country deserves to ensure that it secures the energy security of the country so that we can continue to build on the growth of the economy that we are experiencing today. But more importantly we have a consistent supply of power to our people. If we look around the world today many of the industrial nations that have been successful in building a better standard of living for the citizens would not have done so without a secure and consistent supply of my energy to their own communities and to their economy. That is why it is important for government to make the decision that going forward without a long-term plan that was insight for the government, we thought that it was necessary for us to intervene. Many times when we are in our own houses, when we are attending international conferences and business discussions, when we are working in our offices - the continuous lack of supply of consistent power to conduct our activities or business is becoming too regular. It is also important to note that the recent studies that were done by development partners like IFC, have had really indicated to us, to government and the rest of us, that out of our population of seven and a half million people, we are only able to able to supply to one and a half million people in this country. So while you and I are launching this project, you must imagine that every night six million Papua New Guineans go to bed without power supply to their houses. That is unacceptable, we must change. That is why government is taking decisions that are not easy, many times we talk about trying to be innovative and trying to meet the challenges that we are facing - there are political opportunists out there who without offering any solution what so ever to what Government is trying to do. The continuously criticize any new suggestions or any new proposals that has been put forward. Our new proposal to the nation to try and make sure that we invite private sector capital into PNG Power so that we can go out there and build more generation capacity throughout the country so that we can power our nation is something that this country needs today. It does not needed tomorrow, it needs this today. And that is why government is taking a deliberate decision. It is not easy, but if we do not make a decision today tomorrow we are going to pay the price for it. Many of us who are you today know PNG Power from about 20 to 30 years ago. It was the pride of the nation. It was the most efficient and effectively in the managed organization in the country. If it was able to supply power to our people in a consistent matter. Now, that has all gone because governments from time-to-time have not be able to invest money into PG power. We can't blame the board, we can't blame the management, we can't blame the workers of PMG Power. We can blame ourselves Because we have not been able to put enough money to make sure that we consistently invest in the capital requirements of PNG power. As a result we are praying the price today. We are paying the price today. That is why I say to everyone, including our critics, it’s not time for political opportunism. It is time for us to offer solutions. We are inviting private sector money into our country. We are not selling PNG Power to anyone else, we are offering it to our citizens. Our Papua New Guinea business many women to come in and invest the money they have made in a growing economy. So that they can invest in power generation that will also give them a good return on their investment. So let us work through this together, with the unions, with the workers, with the management and with the Board. With IBC as a shareholder, Government is prepared to work out a strategy that is going to deliver consistent power for our people, our businesses and of course it will help us grow the economy. Let us not forget, but only recently we were able to bring in a new player for the telecommunications industry in this country. As a result of that it contributed more than 1% to our GDP. That is a clear example of a good investment in infrastructure that is able to make a positive contribution to the economy of the country. Power can do substantially more and that is why it is important. Our government does not have enough money to continue to invest in PNG Power. That is a fact. Even politicians are criticizing the government today – they know very well that the Government does not have enough money to invest in big capital expenditure that is required for us to build big hydro schemes, and to have more generators like this. That is why it is important that we were together with the private sector - let us be open-minded about our proposal. Let us try and find a solution for the crony problem that we have today. I stress again, and I cannot stress enough, if we do not address these issues today, tomorrow we’re going to pay the price. Now we have this got this generate power generation facility here, it is time for us to know also upgrade the maintenance of our existing facilities – of course our power generators and the hydro schemes that we have. Next year we must start the construction we have had enough talking, we must start the construction of next year. There must be no more excuses. We will find the money that is needed. We must start the expansion of the Yorkie hydro scheme. And of course we must continue to make sure that we finalise the conclusion of the discussions that we had and having with our gas producers. We already producing gas in this country, there is no excuse for further delays on why we cannot power of this with gas in our country today. That is why we must conclude those discussions, conclude those arrangements, so that we can be able to supply our people with cheaper power in this country where it will give even more opportunities. Cheaper power improves living standards, gives capability to businesses so that they can be able to do more business and be a greater contributor to a stronger economy. That is why give me great pleasure to be here today. This is a very important occasion. I don’t know when was the last time, maybe 10 years ago when we had a new power generation plant like this. I know that people always say that this was rushed - I know that people say that we did not follow the process is right. But when you have an Emergency how do you expect your government to intervene. You expect your government to intervene when you have an emergency. When you go down to Lae City, they have three or four Bacchus everyday. That is why we need to get the new generator in Lae installed immediately, not waiting for tomorrow. When this is completed I appeal to the PG power management board, please move all about technicians and engineers across. So that we can get ready for the 2014 November games, the PNG Games, that is going to be held in city of Lae. So government has got the right to intervene on occasions like this. This will give us a consistent supply of PNG power - power to our citizens. Those critics I asked them if you if you do not want PNG power supply and just switch it off! Then try and see how you will live in blackout. Let us be constructive in our criticism, and let us work together for the good of our country. It gives me great pleasure to officially commission this gas turbine power generation plan. Before concluding, let me thank the engineers, the PNG Power board and management. Thank you very much for the work that you have put into this occasion. Thank you and God bless each and everyone thank you. Comments are closed.
|
Papua New Guinea Breaking NewsPapua New Guinea daily News updates Let Your Voice be heard: Submit your news articles, commentaries, letters , Photos, Media Releases etc to us on this email: pngfacts@gmail.com
Mining & PetroleumTop Links |