By Simon Eroro and Melissa Martin

The PNG Power workers throughout the country returned to work last night.
The turn around in their decision to go on a mass sit-in protest causing constant power blackouts and water cuts throughout the country in the past two days came after Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc intervened with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s message to shelve the decision to create a Special Purpose Company to rehabilitate PNG Power Hydro assets and expand the scheme.

President of the power workers union Eddie Gisa confirmed to the Post-Courier last night that this decision was taken however, the return to work could only last for a few hours unless Mr O’Neill’s decision is handed to the workers in black and white.

Mr Gisa said the Prime Minister’s decision was delivered to the workers as well as the landowners of the Rouna Hydro, the Koiari people in Sogeri yesterday afternoon.  He said this idea to return to work after the verbal promise by Mr O’Neill would pave the way for the PPL management and all stakeholders to discuss the internal issues on back payments since the transition from Elcom and many other changes that have occurred then. Mr Gisa said while the workers have returned to work, the landowner issues are not being handled properly which also saw the closer of the dam which is the city’s water source at Rouna Two. 

Eda Ranu has also advised Port Moresby residents that the water shortage will continue due to landowner grievances which will force city residents to experience low pressure or no water at all until the situation is rectified by the relevant authorities.

The Koiari landowners moved into Rouna PPL premises in Sogeri outside Port Moresby and blocked the dam in support of the actions taken by the PPL workers throughout the country because they shared the same plight with the workers.

The landowners said that these actions were unfortunate, claiming the National Government carried an unpaid claim of K291 million promised to them three months ago.

“This is an unfortunate issue which has forced the country’s capital city to suffer the consequences because one side of the agreement has not been fulfilled,” Mr Gisa said.