Access to clean water and sanitation is a major setback in PNG communities.
In Central Province, given the type of vegetation and soil structure, clean drinking water is almost scarce in many villages.
ย
Veisia Village, situated along Hiritano Highway in Kairuku district, is no exception; it is a village that suffers greatly from lack of water sources. Access to clean drinking water is almost scarce in this village.
ย
During the dry season, women have to walk some two kilometres to fetch water and return.
ย
This has been their daily chore for over 25 years now.
ย
In 1980s, the villagers migrated from Vanuamai Village and settled along the Hiritano Highway in two different hamlet, Veisia and Olovalu.
ย
The challenges faced in accessing clean drinking and cooking water is similar in all three villages.
ย
Women have become the main victims of this, carrying water long distances.
ย
Yesterday, local MP Peter Isoaimo handed Tuffa Tanks over to these three communities. The tanks were purchased with DSIP funds.ย
ย
The district is embarking on supplying more villages with proper tanks for rain catchment.
ย
A service delivery report last year indicated that 61 per cent of the PNG population do not have access to safe drinking water.
ย
However, the government is embarking on rural water supply projects to achieve the water supply and sanitation targets by 2030.
ย
The challenge is now on ward councillors to have water prioritised in ward development plans to engage government assistance.
