Since the initial settlement of Bodiam at 6 Mile in Port Moresby, there has been no proper water supply to cater for settlers living there.
But yesterday, all that changed and the settlers had something to cheer about when their local North-East MP and Vice Sports Minister, Labi Amaiu, launched a water supply to cater to the Bodiam settlement.
The water project resulted from ongoing robust negotiations with service provider Eda Ranu and the local MP’s office.
From the K10 million of DSIP funds allocated for Moresby North-East, almost half of it has been spent on numerous water projects within Mr Amaiu’s electorate.
One hundred thousand kina was presented to Eda Ranu to commence water supply for the next three months – after that, Eda Ranu will affect a user-pay policy, although at a subsidized rate given Bodiam settlement’s topography.
Mr Amaiu said the people must take ownership of such an invaluable service to ensure its maintenance and use in the community.
Women, especially mothers in the area, have dealt with the burden of walking long distances to fetch clean water – usually at densely populated water sources – but those days are now behind them.
Eda Ranu Manager of Operations Michael Yagro, after receiving the cheque, urged the Bodiam community to be faithful to future payMen’s to ensure the permanence of the service.
Mr Amaiu also made commitMen’s to build proper waste facilities and said his office had close talks with the Lands Department in regards to Bodiam settlement turning into a sanctioned city suburb under the Urban Settlement Act.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dul3Szb6cMo%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
