PNG has low baseline of water distribution

 By ABIGAIL APINA 

PAPUA New Guinea has a very low base line in terms of water distribution compared with neighbouring countries.

Water PNG cooperate planner Roger Kara said in some countries, water had become so scarce that people fought over it.

He said PNG however had an abundance of water yet a very low baseline.

“We are taking it for granted. 

“Our neighbouring countries have ensured that the majority of the population has access to water,” he said.

He mentioned this in Kokopo, East New Britain, recently during the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council meeting last week.

He said Vision 2050 required an increase access to clean water from 39% to 100% of the population by 2050.

He said the Development Strategic Plan (2010-30) aimed to have 70% of the population access water by 2030.

He said since 2008, water in PNG had a baseline of only 39% of the population.

Kara said Water PNG had been operating in towns and cities except for Port Moresby, Goroka, Kerema, Mendi, Vanimo, Minj, and Tari. It will extend to Kainantu this year.