PM Marape thanks Japan for contributions towards the Electrification of PNG

Approved for Release – Thursday 28th May, 2020 ————————————– Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, has thanked the people and Government of Japan for their partnership in the Papua New Guinea Electrification Program. The Prime Minister meet with the Ambassador of Japan to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Kuniyuki Nakahara yesterday (27/05/2020) to discuss Japan’s contribution towards the National Government’s plan to connect 70% of households to electricity by 2030. The meeting comes after a joint meeting with Ministers, High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, and the Ambassadors of Japan and the United States of America on May 26 at the Sir Manasupe House. Ambassador Nakahara said Japan is funding the Ramu grid transmission reinforcement project at the value of K263 million. “Construction has already commenced on building of new electricity substations and upgrading existing 140 kilometres of high voltage transmission line that will benefit 4.3 million people,” he said. “This project is expected to be completed next year.” The Prime Minister said Japan is also co-funding electrification project to connect households to the power grid in East New Britain, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the Oro province. “Japan is also co-funding the project with New Zealand and the Asian Development Bank, to connect 5,000 households to the grid at the cost of K30 million. “To date, the project has seen 3,200 households connected out of the 5,000.” The Prime Minister would like to thank the people and Government of Japan, the people and Government of Australia, the people and Government of New Zealand and the people and Government of the United States of America for joining with the people and Government of Papua New Guinea to bring electricity to our people. He said the four nations together have committed over K1 billion towards the Papua New Guinea Electrification Program. Ends// ————————————–