By HARLYNE JOKU
SAFE and clean water is vital for rural communities, hence a mining and industrial waste management system must be set up by the relevant authority.
Health adviser to the Central provincial government Dr Sylvester Kotapu made the remarks during his presentation at the Abau district development dialogue at the Kupiano secondary school last month.
Dr Kotapu told the 30 participants that the major river systems in PNG were dying due to industrial and mining discharges into the river, such as the Angabanga river contaminated by the Tolukuma Gold Mine, Fly River (Ok Tedi Mine) and Jaba in Bougainville.
He added that 89 % of people living along the Angabanga river had a high level of toxic lead in their blood streams and were in need of urgent medical attention.
Dr Kotapu warned that the Sepik River would be affected if the Frieda Mine was allowed to operate without a proper dam.
He said rural people needed clean rivers to be provided with their water. Dr Kotapu was formally the consultant hired by the Central provincial government to conduct a study on the mysterious deaths of people living downstream of the Tolukuma Gold Mine.
His study revealed a high level of toxic metals such as lead and mercury in the blood samples of the people living along the river.
He said that the former health minister Sir Peter Barter had ordered an independent study to confirm his report but regretted the investigation was stalled.
He said the Tolukuma Gold Mine had gone ahead to sign the reviewed MoA with the State and landowners.
Dr Kotapu, however, added that the Central provincial government had taken the issue to court.