Water PNG launched a joint signing ceremony for Water Supply Projects between Sinohydro Corporation Ltd for Bulolo (Morobe) and Kaiaworks Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd for Kundiawa (Simbu).
Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl William Onglo, Governor for Simbu Michael Bogai Dua, Minister for State Enterprises William Duma, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Managing Director Isikeli Taureka, stakeholder representatives and Water PNG officials, witnessed these milestone achievements.
Acting Managing Director for Water PNG Ltd Parkop Kurua said that the Bulolo project had two parts and the days signing event was to witness PART A of the water supply project.
He said, “The project footprint is basically a 15km of distribution network around Bulolo township, 480 kilolitres of raw water tank, staff complex, access road and associated water works including housing connections. The project is estimated at a cost of K23million, that’s for the PART A. The second project that we are here to witness the signing for, is the Kundiawa Water Supply system.”
Kurua said that the Kundiawa Water Trunk main and reticulation is an aging infrastructure. Water PNG undertook an investigation and scoping in 2018 and concluded that the entire pipeline, which is about 7km from Urr down to the township, required replacement in its entirety.
Kundiawa’s water supply project is the first project that Water PNG, after the merger, is going to fund jointly with the government. The project is worth an estimated K20million. K5million was sourced from the PIP fund, about K200, 000 from the local member and Water PNG put up the balance of about K13million.
The Kundiawa-Gembogl MP said that for the past 21 years, his people have not received clean and safe drinking water and after a 3-year battle, the project can now come to fruition.
Governor Dua said that basic services are available but to live a good quality life people need constant clean water and the people of both project areas have missed this vital necessity for a long time.
CEO for Bulolo District Development Authority Joseph Paru said Bulolo has six LLGs and two existing towns with a third town being a work in progress; being a working town, having a good supply of water is vital for business and the livelihood of its people.
