The rural electrification program commitment made at the APEC Summit in 2018 by the governments of United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and PNG has not progressed as expected to date. State Owned Enterprise Minister William Duma revealed this in Parliament yesterday in response to Rigo MP Lekwa Gure’s question on the status of that commitment. “In the APEC meeting, there was a great announcement and a commitment made by the four countries to assist us have 70 percent of our country electrified by year 2030 which is only eight years away,” Mr Gure said. “So, what is the appropriate body that is coordinating this commitment?” “And how much of the country at this point in time has access to electricity?” “Is there a process or avenue where districts and provinces can make input to that body that is coordinating this commitment?” Minister Duma in response said the K1 billion commitment was a political statement made by the four governments with no properly documented process. “The understanding was that PNG as well as those countries, through the normal diplomatic channels have an agreement that would set out in detail how we will draw those funds,” Mr Duma said. “Unfortunately, since 2019, no such documents were signed by those governments and our government despite attempts by our Prime Minister and myself to follow up.” However, he said what has turned out was that those countries through their diplomatic mission have gone out and select small projects without having consultations with the government through PNG Power. “It is an ongoing process and we are still trying to negotiate but it looks like the new government will be able to continue that process and hopefully we can reach an agreement with definite work plans to reach our target.”