Calls to PPUC revealed that the power to the port was cut as a result of non-payment of accounts. PPUC, however, stated that the details of the accounts were discussed with the state’s governor, Browny Salvador; and that were confidential matters privy only to Ngarchelong State or its representatives.
Ngarchelong State officials have indicated that the state has tried to minimize its power usage and has kept its PPUC accounts updated.Ollei Port houses a new ice machine, which was installed last December. Local fishermen from Ngarchelong, Ngaraard, and Ngardmau and local vendors rely on the ice machine to keep the fish they catch or are selling from spoiling.“It is just not right,” said a local fisherman. “On Wednesday evening when we returned from a fishing trip, the port was dark. We had to scrounge for ice to keep our catch from spoiling.”Horizon had received information that the state government had received a power bill for the port in August that was questionable.“The port has had an average power bill of about $400 per month when the ice machine began operation,” a state official said. “The state was billed nearly $900 for the month of August.”The state has paid the most recent billing of the port. State officials indicated that the governor had discussed the August billing with PPUC.PPUC confirmed that it discussed the Ollei Port power situation with the Governor Salvador yesterday but declined to divulge the details of the discussion.In a phone interview with Salvador prior to press time, he stated that he had discussed the questionable bill with PPUC when the bill was first issued.“I have talked with the PPUC’s general manager about this matter,” Salvador said, “and we have gone over the port’s billings since the latter part of 2007.”Salvador said that he paid the port’s outstanding bill – the unsubstantiated August billing – yesterday and power to the port should be reinstated; however, PPUC must ensure that meter box and wiring at the port are not faulty.Governor Salvador said that he will continue to discuss this matter with PPUC until it is resolved.
