Water PNG

Apart from households, senior manager, Martin Bigiglen, outlined that the University of Technology owes them K5 million and the Royal PNG Constabulary has an outstanding of around K4 million.

“The Government departments owe a lot of money,” he stated.

“They’re paying but slowly.”

He said though it is frustrating, they have taken residents’ needs into consideration.

Bigiglen said in Unitech’s case, they are considering the students’ welfare, while for members of the public, some have lost their jobs or have retired, hence have no way of settling their bills.

Water PNG’s senior manager said this was the main reason behind the Unitech bore malfunction.

The Water PNG pumps rely on electricity.

“When you have a reliable supply, your equipment is healthy so you can continue producing water and things like that but when you have continuous blackouts, it burns equipment,” stated Water PNG senior manager, Martin Bigiglen.

For water supply, Bigiglen explained that they pressurise the system to ensure a constant flow of water.

Of the seven bores located along the Unitech road, only four were working to supply the city until the issue yesterday evening, leaving only three functioning bores.

Water PNG senior manager, Martin Bigiglen, highlighted that production is very low and cannot meet the city’s demand. Though 1,300 kilolitres of water an hour is the required output, Water PNG is currently producing 630 kilolitres an hour.

“That’s half of the demand,” he stated.

“With that sort of load, you cannot meet city demand.

Planning Minister Richard Maru gave the task to Peter Numu after responding to his questions in Parliament yesterday.

Maru pointed out that the current concern of the government in regards to the issue with the Goroka water system is in light of APEC meets earmarked for the Eastern Highlands provincial town.

He said Goroka is the only town in the country that has its water supply controlled by the town council.

“I have written to the Governor to convince the town council and hand over the management of the water supply to Water PNG,” stated Maru.

He made the announcement in a media conference in Port Moresby today.

The Minister for Planning and Implementation said the merger of the two institutions will save about K10 million which the Government can use to fund other projects in the rural districts.

Minister Maru said he is taking an NEC Submission to establish the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Authority to drive the implementation of the policy forward, provide leadership and coordination within the sector and for the NEC to look into the merger of Water PNG and Eda Ranu.

Naru issued the warning after learning from Butibam villagers that Water PNG has given notice to shut down water supply due to non-payment of bills.

During the ground breaking ceremony of the re-sealing of Butibam village road last Saturday, Ahi paramount chief Nathanial Malac told Governor Naru and those gathered that Water PNG has issued notice to shut down water supply without considering their ownership of land and water.

Water PNG Managing Director, Raka Taviri, said this when asked following the signing of a K223 million loan between the PNG Government and the World Bank for the roll our of water supply and sanitation program.

Taviri said the operation costs to provide clean an safe water is very high and though they operated in 21 centres around the country, only a few centres were profitable.

He said in order to sustain their operations they have developed a concept to enter into agreements with DDA’s.

Chief Executive Officer, Raka Taviri, tells Loop PNG that they are confident that the Water and Sanitation Bill will be passed next year and are preparing for the transition.

The particular bill, which will see the creation of the Water PNG Limited, will replace the Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1986.

On November 4^th this year, Parliament voted for the bill however, it failed to muster the required number of 57-plus; falling short by 56. 

The MoA was signed between the Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority (DDA) and Water PNG.

Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, and member for Yangoru-Saussia, Richard Maru, said the water supply system compliments other existing projects carried out in the districts and will attract more people to live and work there.

“Our intention is in our district towns we want to ensure that life there is the same as you were living in Port Moresby,” Maru said.

The new design was launched in Port Moresby (24th November) coinciding with the state agencies National Conference.

Launching the design were Deputy Board Chairman, Peter Pokawin, and Managing Director, Raka Taviri.

Speaking to senior managers during the dinner and launching, Deputy Chairman Pokawin, said the organisation has had to adjust to changes or issues affecting the entity.

However, he said working together as a unit will see the organisation moving forward.