Is PNG Power owned by only a few?
We ask this rhetorical question because as far as we are concerned, it seems like only a few do own this important entity. Why we say this is that apart from the fact this utility monopolys allegiance should be with the 8 million plus citizens of this country who own it, it seems like a handful have put their needs before the needs of the larger shareholding base, the people of this country. The union issue has been a long reccurring one that continues to hamper any real development of the power entity. It seems like any change, whether good, bad, or even impartial is always met by some form of resistance. PPL continues to be plagued by two parties with the first being the politicians of the day and second being the union. Where it does not seem to matter if it is a local or an expatriate, a veteran PPL worker or an external specialist manager nothing seems good enough at the top level of the company. The union continues to protest and protect incompetence. It seems any good action to revitalise aging infrastructure, or restructure the business model, which is clearly not working, are all being met with resistance. Change is the biggest enemy right now for those charged with keeping our lights on. While we sympathise with their livelihood concerns, the now former MDs comments on them stopping the leak currently plaguing the power providers revenue before having all the remuneration issues sorted out seems the most realistic at the moment. On the other side if the wages and salaries issues are to be addressed immediately the unbundling of some part of the entity would be the quickest way also to acquire much needed income to address these as well to other interest parties keen on investing into this space. But on the front of the consumers, taxpaying shareholders, and most importantly businesses, one reader for us summed up the reality that could amount to the hundreds of millions if a civil class action were to be taken could destroy the very entity that is being dragged back resisting any change that still struggles to take root. I hope PNG Power, the Government have set aside enough money for all the electrical appliances going boom with this no power, our reader said. It being on- then off 20mins later- then on again- then off again 5 minutes later. Call in private contractors to operate  start dismissing those rogue staff who do not want to work then privatise the damn thing  a small percentage of the income is better than all this going on. Maybe a class action suit to boost might make some heads turn, he says. While this may be one readers view, it represents the greater sentiment out there from ordinary citizens and businesses on how much discontent the nations electricity provider is emitting to the greater populous. It seems like anything short of a miracle worker in the MDs post is the word of the day as we anticipate yet another brave soul to take up the mission impossible position.