Leaders of the siege agreed to switch the power back on after they heard that a government delegation was on its way to Yonki to listen to their demands, according to the National newspaper.

However, the group of landowners reportedly have access to a large cache of vintage World War II bombs and firearms, which it has threatened to use if the national Government does not respond favourably to its demands by September 14.

The government delegation, led by Prime Minister’s Department deputy secretary Veali Vagi and assisted by National Security Council Secretariat director Joseph Assaigo, flew into Lae on Tuesday to meet with the 2000 landowners over the PNG Power oval.

A large contingent of Goroka police reportedly kept watch over proceedings as group leader Ralph Gurah presented a petition to the delegation, before belittling the officials and calling them “tea boys” for the government.

Gurah said landowners had shut down the power station because they have been waiting for a response from the Government over their claim for K254.9 million ($US86 million), which they said has been outstanding for the past 35 years.

The Arona Valley landowner group is calling for a review of the Arona Development Authority agreement and the establishment of a new body to represent the landowners involved in the Yonki power station.

According to the National, landowners described the current directors as corrupt, adding they were regularly entertained by PNG Power in hotels in Port Moresby.