Locals give land for power plant

Locals give land for power plant

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Members of the Arfak tribe in the Prafi
valley, Warmar district, declared their willingness to give up
35ha of their ancestors' land for the construction of a
microhydro-powered plant.

The head of the local office of the electricity company,
Sumarsono, told Antara that the land is located along the Prafi
River, whose water will be used to generate electricity.

Prafi village chief Ananias Muit has "given the land for the
project" and voiced his people's wish that work on it begins
soon, Sumarsono said.

A team from the central office of the electricity company will
prepare "detailed plans" next month, and the plant is expected to
be completed and operating some time next year, he said. (swe)