Resettlers get power after 20 years

GORONTALO, North Sulawesi: Several hundred transmigrant families in Marisa subdistrict have had power installed in their neighborhood after 20 years of waiting.

The transmigrants from Java, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara occupy eight of the 23 villages in Marisa, 600 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, Manado. Power lines reached their homes late last year or early last moth.

The power is supplied from a 250 kilowatt diesel-powered generator provided by the state-electricity company, PLN, Antara reported.

Local government officials said the power supply should help villagers make better use of their economic resources.

PLN's North Sulawesi branch aims to light up another 188 villages this year. (pan)