More than 1,300 people across six communities in Lontis, North Bougainville, now have access to safe drinking water following the successful delivery of a water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) project under the Bougainville Community Grants Scheme (BCGS).
This facility is a boost for more than 660 women in the community, including mothers, daughters, and other vulnerable community members, who can now access water on tap. This convenience makes household chores easier, as they no longer need to wait for low tide and walk to the shoreline to fetch fresh water.
Acting Chairman for the Community Government of Haku, Leonard Tsitoa, said, “to the Ward 10 recipients, we are grateful and fortunate to receive this WASH Project grant from the Australian government. This is significant progress and development for our community. It’s a special day for us to receive this free of charge, therefore I urge everyone here to look after this investment, so that we can use it for a long time.”
Funded by the Australian Government and valued at PGK113,295, this project provided twenty-five 5,500 litre tanks, stands and two VIP toilets.
Tugeasa Village is one of the communities in Lontis which received the new WaSH facilities. Traditionally, the community depended on shoreline freshwater, which was only available at low tide. Over time, accessing this has become difficult, with the water becoming salinated and unsafe for use because of the effects of climate change.
Through the BCGS program, the Australia Government worked with the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Community Development to support community groups and their representatives to collaborate with the government to improve service delivery.
The BCGS program aims to reach the most disadvantaged and remote areas of Bougainville.
Ward members initiated the WaSH project as part of Lontis Ward’s annual development plan. The completion and handover of this project demonstrated community coordination, resilience, and proof that working together achieves tangible and lasting results.
