By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Women and young girls in the Yangoru Saussia District are excited about the roll out of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the first 18 wards.
Under this WASH project, water tanks are installed in villages so women and girls would not walk long distances to fetch water for cooking and drinking. The recent wards that signed up for this project are Munji Haraji, Hinges Marengei and Holik Yaramboim wards.
During the launching at Munji station, local MP Richard Maru told the people that the villagers who want to benefit from this project are encouraged to put in 10 per cent of their total cost.
“If you do not organise yourselves and invest the 10 percent, then you will be left behind. I will give priority to the villagers that are smart and committed. If you want water supply, you must contribute your money,” Maru said.
So far 18 wards have signed up for this project, where water tanks will be installed in the communities for better access to clean and safe drinking water. This project is predicted to cut-down the distance for mothers and young women who walk to fetch water for cooking and drinking.
It is delivered through Oxfam International, but the funding is sourced through three donors. The locals, pay the first 10 percent, the district through DSIP funds pays 25 percent while the remaining 65 percent is paid through AusAid.
For this recent project launching, it was for the Munji Haraji, Hinges Marengei and Holik Yaramboim wards who committed to the WASH Project.
A sum of K250 000 was given to ward councillors as part of the district’s support towards implementing the project. In this part of Yangoru Saussia, women walk for long distances to find water and it becomes more difficult during the dry season.
A total of 278 tanks will be installed throughout the three wards in attempts to bring clean and safe drinking water closer to the people.
