Banz gets water, sanitation project

A K40 MILLION water and sanitation project funded by the United Nations was launched recently in Banz, Jiwaka, aimed at improving the communities’ access to clean water and sanitation.
European Union Ambassador Jacques Fradin said the UN was happy to work with Papua New Guinea Government in funding and implementing similar projects.
Fradin said they were concerned about the lives of children and youth, thus, prioritising the need to make available clean water for drinking, washing and cooking.
The project would be implemented by United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the United Nations office for project services (UNOPS).
The four years’ project was aimed at improving the lifestyle of the people in Banz.
Unicef country representative Claudes Kamenga said safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene were important to children, women and men’s health and wellbeing.
“Unfortunately, many people in PNG still lack access to safe drinking water, safe sanitation or even have hand washing facilities with soap at home and in public places like schools, health centres and markets,” he said .
Kamenga said these were vital to personal health, improved livelihoods, uninterrupted school attendance and a strong healthy community.