by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
Water PNG’signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Friday to work in partnership with the Goroka District Development Authority (GDDA) to rehabilitate its water supply and sewerage services.
Under the National Water Supply and Sewerage Act, Water PNG has the jurisdiction to supply water and sewerage services throughout the country; however, Goroka Town is the only urban authority in PNG that manages its own water and sewerage functions.
Chief Operating Officer for Water PNG, Mr Billy Imar said:
“The MOA will ensure a mutual understanding for both parties to work in partnership and will open the door to Water PNG to undertake a major review of the existing design and operation of the town’s water and sewerage services so that adequate and reliable water can be supplied to meet the demand of the growing population.”
Managing Director for Water PNG, Mr Raka Taviri, said it was a positive step forward and that this agreement would help both parties reach its corporate vision and goals more strategically in supporting major investment areas in Goroka.
Mr Taviri said:
“While our core purpose is to provide technical assistance and play an advisory role, we invite you to work with us to ensure we deliver these services to the people of Goroka.”
However, he said water was not free and the services supplied would need to be paid for in order to maintain the smooth and effective flow of operations.
GDDA Chief Executive Officer Mr Andreas Lulue said they had a team in place to manage the system; however, consumers were not paying for water so they must start somewhere to get people to pay and this partnership will help with the management of the system.
The project will take effect ‘upon the signing of the MOA and the availability of funds by the authority and the issue of a letter to commence works with other prerequisites for mobilisation and project start up by GDDA to Water PNG.’
