Sawang: WHAT YOUR MP DID TODAY - Rai Coast DDA Signs MOU With USAID-PNG Electrification Partnership

 

Kessy Sawang: WHAT YOUR MP DID TODAY [10/10/22]

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Rai Coast DDA Signs MOU With USAID-PNG Electrification Partnership

Today, the Rai Coast DDA signed an MOU with USAID-PEP to develop a collaborative partnership to facilitate development and implementation of potential micro / mini – grid projects in Rai Coast District.  

The USAID-PNG Electrification Partnership [USAID-PEP] is a 5-year project partnership between the Government of PNG and USAID to advance the country’s journey to self-reliance by contributing significantly to achieve the goal of connecting 70% of PNG’s population to electricity by 2030.  

One of the USAID-PEP strategies is to develop viable off-grid electrification models that catalyze public or private investment to provide electricity to provincial centres, island communities and other remote populations.  This is envisaged will reduce electricity cost, bolster economic activities, and increase the private sector engagement in PNG energy sector in a manner that strengthens its sustainability and self-reliance.  

According to a World Bank research, only 13% of Papua New Guineas have access to grid-connected electricity, and even for those with access, high cost, unreliable power supplies and lengthy blackouts impacts homes, businesses and service delivery.  Access to rural areas where 85% of our population live is non-existent.

My aim is to provide our rural households access to clean, sustainable and affordable energy that has zero adverse environment footprint.  

My number one priority is energizing Saidor Station as the critical intervention to build the District’s administrative capacity.  For almost a decade the public servants operate out of Madang town, spending millions of your money meant for improving services on hotel bills, hire cars, travel, etc.  Saidor is in the dark without electricity, water, functional District Office and shockingly run-down and houses from the colonial era.    

We need enablers electricity, water and sanitation, and digital connectivity to build our District Town, and move the public servants back to the District to implement our programs.  Otherwise, we will still remain “good night Rai Coast”.    

I am profoundly grateful that RCDDA is a partner in this program.  The engineering team from USAID-PEP will visit the District in November, spending up to two weeks, to undertake feasibility studies.  Please take care of them and assist them.    

I sincerely thank the Team at USAID-PEP - Bruce Corbet, Julinette Bayking, Garick Lee, Andee Mendoza - and Lazarus Kenni for making this happen.

Pictures and words by Hon. Kessy Sawang, Member for Rai Coast.