Papua New Guinea: Water and power supply to Port Moresby disrupted, Oct. 3

Event

Koari landowners in the Central Province shut the water and electricity supply to Port Moresby on Oct. 3. The action is in response to an ongoing financial dispute with the government. The extent of the outages remains unclear. Negotiations are ongoing to restore services. A related protest is reportedly ongoing near the Sirinumu Dam.

Temporary commercial and communications disruptions are possible during power outages. Cellular and mobile service disruptions could occur. Power outages could also result in the temporary unavailability of essential services such as ATMs and filling stations. Malfunctioning traffic signals could increase transport disruptions, and the lack of public lighting may elevate the risk of driving at night. Business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that rely on large quantities of municipal water. Protests by Koari landowners could occur along major roadways, infrastructure sites, and government buildings. Police will likely deploy to monitor gatherings.

Advice

Avoid protests as a precaution. Stock up on drinking water and confirm alternative water supplies for business operations if operating in Port Moresby. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes. Charge mobile and communication devices when possible and ensure backup batteries are available. Plan for road travel delays due to possible malfunctioning or nonfunctional traffic lights in affected areas.