Eda Ranu has restored water supply back to Baruni village, after it disconnected it, five months ago.
This comes after villagers blocked off the main road into the village this morning, and demanded their local MP, Michael Malabag, and Eda Ranu Chief Executive Officer, Henry Mokono, visit them and address their water supply issue in the village, before the main road will be open for public vehicles.
The two leaders arrived in the village with heavy police escort, and during the negotiations, water supply was restored.
It started at four this morning, when villagers blocked the main highway leading into the village.
PMV's and cars travelling in from villages towards the LNG plant site were turned off and forced to use the Gerehu back road through the Baruni dump.
Stones, scrap metal, empty drums and trees were laid across the road.
The villagers came in numbers, and demanded for water supply to be restored before they cleared this part of the highway.
A community leader, Henry Maiva, said water supply was cut off five months ago, and women and girls had become the victims of harassment, as they have to travel long distances to fetch and carry water
Baruni Primary School Head Teacher, Nime Katumo, said they have had half day classes since then.
At around 9 am, their local MP, Michael Malabag, arrived followed by Eda Ranu CEO, Henry Mokono.
Mr Mokono said the water bill has reached K90, 000, resulting in them cutting off the supply, but the villagers disagreed with the figure.
Mr Malabag then allocated K50, 000, from the DSIP funds, towards the bill. He will negotiate with NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, to complete the payment.
At 10 am, the Eda Ranu CEO gave the green light, and taps were running again. The satisfied villagers then cleared the road.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2blBca1dUow%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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