A private investor will manage PNG Power, Marape has announced. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
As parts of Papua New Guinea continue to suffer regular electricity outages, the government has announced a partial privatisation of the state-owned company, PNG Power.
Prime Minister James Marape announced the privatisation at an investment conference in Sydney.
The Post-Courier quotes him saying, "we are sick of this monster that continues to burden us and hold us down."
The government is to retain substantial rights, but a private investor will manage the company.
Marape told the conference the government wants a private investor committed to delivering "cheaper, reliable, and cleaner power" for the people of Papua New Guinea.
The partial privatisation of PNG Power aligns with broader efforts to modernise the country's infrastructure and address long-standing inefficiencies in public service delivery.
The government expects this move to enhance energy accessibility, reduce operational burdens, and stimulate economic growth in the resource and energy sectors.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Lae, John Rosso, said the government has appointed a Lae businessman, Mal Lewis, as the new chairman of PNG Power.
His comment came as Lae City suffered further power outages.
Rosso said Mal Lewis, a New Zealander and former army colonel, who is currently with steel fabricator Hornibrooks Lae.
He said he previously ran all of Fiji's state-owned companies, including power and water, and brings with him this experience.