Report any illegal power connection, either done by individuals in residential areas or done by business houses and get rewarded for reporting it.
That is the word from PNG Power Limited (PPL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Obed Batia when announcing the power company’s new initiative that would work both ways; reward people that report illegal connection and safeguard the power company from more illegal activities that drain its revenues.
The new initiative- the External Reward Program called ‘Pawa Tokaut,’ will see PPL reward any individual who reports any illegal power connection with cash rewards.
Mr. Batia said the new initiative is a follow on from the Amnesty Exercise that ran from June to September this year.
“The Amnesty Exercise is enforcing the PNG Power revenue, a protection strategy part of the three-year corporate plan aimed to combat the revenue leakage, maintain existing revenue and see a growth in revenue through more new customer connections,” said Mr. Batia.
He said other initiatives, like the new Pawa Tokaut, need to work hand in hand with the Amnesty Exercise.
“It (Pawa Tokaut) will enable the public to come forward, report illegal connections and in return, the person reporting them will get cash reward.”
For the cash rewards, the CEO said its K250 cash reward for reporting on illegal connections in domestic and residential areas.
The second reward is 10% of the monthly billing of a business or company that is found guilty of making an illegal connection, be given to any individual who reports that business house or company that is doing so.
“In addition, PPL will charge and prosecute and apply appropriate penalties to the offenders,” said the CEO.
He also assured the public that the identity of the person reporting the illegal connection will be kept confidential and therefore, he is encouraging the public to come forward and report by calling the toll the free number 116.
“PPL sends out a strong message as well to those that are illegally connected that this initiative will see you charged and prosecuted under the current Electricity Industry Act and the Criminal Code,” he said.
This new initiative has already started and will run from October to December 31st, 2022, and is piloted in three urban centers, Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, and Kokopo.
The CEO added that eventually, this program will go out to other provinces under phase two of the arrangements.