Citizens, who have illegally connected water supply to their Newss and businesses, have been warned to disconnect, before they are arrested and fined.
Water PNG is leading efforts to clamp down on massive illegal use of water in its 19 provincial and district Business Centers throughout the country, following a month-long amnesty period launched recently.
The due date given was 1st of April, and Water PNG will arrest and fine bandits under existing laws of the Criminal Code Act, and the Water and Sewerage Act.
Water PNG Manager Customer Services and Business Operations, Leo Kre, said they have begun the crackdown on illegal water use starting in Kwikila, Central Province, followed by Kokopo, Rabaul, Lae, Madang, Mt Hagen, Wewak, Kimbe, Alotau, Popondeta, Kundiawa, Wabag, Daru, Lorengau and Kavieng.
Mr. Kre said from the recent Clean-Up Clampdown Exercise in Kwikila last week; they found that out of the 150 paying customers, only 29 were up to date with payments. He said Water PNG’s priority is to address 35% – 40% of unlawful use of water, and reduce the Non-Revenue Water rate by 2015.
He said illegal water use over the years has drastically affected Water PNG’s commitment to provide quality water to customers. Mr. Kre explained that Water PNG customers had the Amnesty Month until April 1, to unhook illegal connections and become registered legal customers.
Violators will be arrested or fined under existing laws of the Criminal Code Act and the Water and Sewerage Act.”
He said the newly established Task Force, which comprised of in-house technical officers, Principal Legal Officer and a Police Team, will identify and physically remove any illegal connection.
Water PNG is concerned that issues of Non Renewable Water have reached critical stages, and is a major impediment to business and growth. This approach is taken to reduce its current NRW rating to below 25% by 2015, and even less than 15% by 2030.
The management says this would require the effort of Water PNG, its business partners and clients throughout its business centers in the country.
The General Manager Customer Service, Joseph Yore, said Water PNG’s primary interest has, and will always, be collecting water revenue, owed to the country. The Water PNG Amnesty Month also provided a grace period for the reporting of all undocumented active connections which include illegal and unbilled connections.
It gave an opportunity for past and potential customers to become legitimate customers without penalty or prosecution. The Amnesty Month was from March to April 1st 2014.
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