Chamber pitches need for power investment

Caption:  John Leahy

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 21, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

PRESIDENT of the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI), John Leahy, made it known of the importance of more power generation to Indian investors visiting from the Confederation of Indian Industries during the week.

He said that as a representative of the country’s private business sector- the chamber views electricity as a precursor to boosting various industries in the country and also a lucrative one for investors.

“The private sector from where seat, we at the chamber view power as being the biggest priority in terms of infrastructure,” Leahy said.

“And for a number of reasons with the main is that access to power in rural areas appears to be one of the main drivers of economic growth. So if we get power out to the people they with their entrepreneurial abilities and the rest of it will create opportunities through trade, agriculture and the rest, but they need power.”

“It is the priority at the moment in terms of the economy even though education and health seem important what can they do when the people get educated and have nothing to do.”

“In terms of power the opportunities that you may be able to help us with.”

He said with new energy projects coming online in the oil and petroleum sector, the government needs an assertive stance to ensure portions of that energy sector remains in the country to encourage investors.

“Obviously the new one is going to be gas because we have gas projects being developed we are encouraging the government to take a hardline with the developers to say that they need to leave some of that same gas for domestic use to create opportunities for power generation in the country.”

“We also have very substantial hydroelectric potential with new expansion planned for very shortly. Of course in local, wind, geothermal- we already have a geothermal project in PNG producing power for the Lihir Goldmine.”