By Stanley Ove Jr – EMTV News Port Moresby
A stakeholder workshop was held yesterday (July 30) in Port Moresby to collect views on drafting the National Water and Sanitation Hygiene Authority Bill.
Speaking at the event, National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru said he is determined to see the bill passed in Parliament as it will allow for a single authority to be responsible for the country’s water and sanitation sector.
“This glaring disparity between urban and rural WaSH services delivery and the fact that Water PNG Operates in 14 out of 20 provincial towns and 6 out of 88 districts calls for the Government to act and reform the water industry,” Minister Maru said.
The workshop saw ideas centred around the key function of formulating the Authority. These included policy making, planning, regulation and development of rural and urban WaSH projects.
“I as the Minister and Member representing my people who are rural-based cannot sit back and watch our mothers and daughters continue to suffer because of our failure over the years to address this basic necessity of life,” Minister Maru said.
The Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in November.
