PAPUA New Guinea Power Ltd signed a K17 million contract with Daiho Corporation to mark the start of civil works of the Yonki Toe Dam hydro power station last Friday, The National reports.
Company chief executive officer Tony Koiri said the project was expected to take at least 12 months and the Daiho engineering team had already begun preparatory works.
“Daiho will work closely with PNG Power and Nippon Koei, who are in charge of the project,” he said.
“The construction of the 18mW power station was initially contracted to a Chinese company in mid-2008 but because of their non-performance, PNG Power terminated the contract in March 2010,” Koiri said.
He said PNG Power then took over the project and contracted Japanese firm Nippon Koei to provide advice on technical issues and quality assurance, including technical guidance and support in the electrical and mechanical works.
“The project, which costs K75 million, is expected to be completed by February 2013, but it could most possibly take less time,” Koiri said.
 Daiho project manager and team leader Masamichi Inoue thanked PNG Power for signing the contract and urged it to work in close cooperation to complete the project.