By Quinton Alomp – EM TV, Port Moresby
Port Moresby is likely to face a fuel and power supply crisis. Fuel transportation into the city from the Puma Energy refinery at Napa-Napa is hindered by the road block at Hanuabada village, just outside Port Moresby.
The road block was put up five days ago by angry relatives of two Hanuabada men who were shot and killed during a police raid last Friday.
PNG Power chief executive officer, John Tangit, in an exclusive interview, told EM TV that as of midday, 60 per cent of electricity provided by two power station generators were switched off.
This is because PNG Power has no fuel to operate the Kanudi and Moitaka power stations, and were shut down. Mr Tangit says they now supply only 40 per cent of electricity and the situation may worsen if the road is not open.
The PNG Power generators operate on 100,000 litres per day, consuming 6000 and 3000 litres an hour respectively, for two different models.
The 56 megawatts, including 20 megawatts from Kanudi Hanjung power station currently supplying electricity to the city, is also expected to shut down if access to fuel depots continues to be blocked off.
Port Moresby and surrounding communities may face a possible fuel and electricity crisis if the road block at Hanuabada village is not cleared by this afternoon.
The situation has affected the transport system, as fuel stations are running out of fuel and closing their services to the public.
It has affected businesses and bus services. Waigani service station supervisor, Junior Kambu, said the government has to intervene and solve this problem immediately.
Fortunately, at lunch time, a fuel tanker with the aid of a police escort, managed to bring in fuel for this service station, bringing much relief to the drivers.
But at other service stations, vehicles are queuing up for the remaining fuel before it runs out.
Currently, the situation at Hanuabada is still tense.
PNG Power has already started load shedding in different areas around the NCD, and advises residents that load shedding will continue until their fuel supplies are replenished.
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