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ADB satisfied with
major water and sanitation projects in PNG
By MARY T PIAFU
Improving basic urban services, particularly water supply and
sanitation is directly linked to the goal of improving public
health and quality of life.
PNG Waterboard has taken on the challenge to ensure delivery of
the two basic services, water and sanitation.
As a forerunner in the development and operations of water and
sanitation projects in 17 centres (excluding the National
Capital District), PNG Waterboard is soon to witness one of its
priority areas receive a major water supply project in Wabag,
Enga province come 2008.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1986 and commencing
operations in 1987, PNG Waterboard has come a long way in the
last two decades to provide basic water and sanitation services
for the urban majority in provincial towns.
The Waterboard has prepared a Strategic Plan 2006-2015 launched
by the Government in 2006 which aims to ensure that developments
in the water and sanitation sector continue to progress.
However PNG Waterboard requires much assistance in project
funding to ensure that such developments take place. Financial
assistance has been received from both bi-lateral and
multi-lateral donors in development of water and sanitation
infrastructure.
The major financier of water and sanitation infrastructure
development in PNG has been the Asian Development Bank which has
greatly supported PNG Waterboard by providing technical
assistance grant and concessional loan funding. The ADB has made
a total commitment of over K160 million during the past 25 years
towards PNG’s urban water and sanitation development.
ADB’s support include the present water supply upgrade in Wabag,
funded at a cost of K20.4 million and the Madang Sewerage
Upgrade costing K12.8 million. The ADB is also administering a
K5 million grant assistance from the Japanese government towards
providing the low cost sanitation and health needs of the
population within the urban fringes. Towns that benefited are
Lae, Madang, Alotau and Mt Hagen.
The ADB carried out a Project Review Mission in August 2007
where ADB’s representatives (PNG Resident Mission) and PNGWB
officials visited two project sites in Enga and Madang Provinces
During this visit, ADB’s Deputy Head, Allan Lee expressed
satisfaction with the implementation progress and the
achievements of the two projects, despite difficulties such as
land issues, technical and costs related issues, which have been
experienced by PNG Waterboard.
The two subprojects currently in progress are components of the
original six water and sanitation development project under the
ADB funding of US$15.3 million (K46m) with US$6.1 million (K18m)
counterpart funding from the PNG Government. The other
subprojects currently delayed or omitted due to substantial cost
escalations and technical reasons include the new water supplies
for Mendi and Kerema, a sewerage upgrade for Mt Hagen and a new
sewerage system for Alotau.
Following the Review Mission, a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)
was signed between ADB, the PNG Government and Executing Agency,
PNG Waterboard. The MOU addressed issues affecting the Project
and made recommendations for appropriate measures to be
undertaken by the various parties to the Loan.
According to Mr Lee, the Review Mission is confident that PNG
Waterboard will be able to achieve physical completion for the
Madang Project before end 2007 and the Wabag Project by the end
of 2008.
The Asian Development Bank has been involved with many of the
infrastructure development projects in Papua New Guinea
including water and sanitation projects, which ADB recognizes as
a significant development aspect in PNG’s growing economy.
ADB has been the leading donor agency towards funding the water
supply and sanitation sector towns such as Lae, Madang, Wewak,
Mt Hagen and Kokopo.
And while PNG Waterboard is appreciative of the funding
commitment by ADB, it (PNGWB) continues to seek donor funding to
maintain its role in ensuring that the people in urban towns are
provided their most basic services in water and sanitation.
For further information please contact: William Walo, Executive
Manager - Development Services on telephone 323 5700 ext 258 or
email wwalo@pngwaterboard.com.pg
* The writer is the Public Relations Officer, PNG Waterboard.
 
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