Regular power supply will be restored to the Namatanai Town and surrounding villages in New Ireland Province, now that work has begun on a new biomass power plant at Mageh Plantation, which is situated just outside of Namatanai Town. The groundbreaking ceremony for this biomass power plant was done by the Agriculture Minister Aiye Tambua and witnessed by the Namatanai Namatanai MP and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt. MP Schnaubelt, speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, said that electricity is an essential need for the people. “Namatanai town has been missing out on regular power supply for nearly 30 years and leaders before me have turned a blind eye on this very essential service for our people. As long as I’m your leader, I will make it my business to have sufficient power supply for the town and surrounding villages at an affordable rate through the biomass power plant.” Schnaubelt also revealed that a hectare of land at the Mageh Plantation will be dedicated to solar power generation. “Solar power will generate roughly about one megawatt power; biomass will give nearly 750-kilowatt power and that will be gradually increased to one megawatt power. The boost for power to two megawatt is important so that we can bring in industrialization and commercialization in Namatanai town.” He added that after the biomass power plant is commissioned, the second and third phase of the rural electrification phase will commence. “The priority right now is to give the businesses in Namatanai town enough power to continue serving the public at large.” Schnaubelt concluded that if they sustain businesses and go into rural electrification for nearby villages, there will more economic growth and development in the rural areas.