China funds K96m water project

Highlands

GOROKA and Eastern Highlands will benefit from the US$32 million (K96mil) Chinese-government funded Goroka town water supply upgrade project, acting provincial administrator Samson Akunaii says.
China and Papua New Guinea last week signed agreements for the projects to begin. “The Goroka water supply system was built during the colonial days to cater for a 10,000 or so population,” Akunaii said.
“Up to now, the town has grown significantly with an increase in population and migration of people.
This is putting lot of strain on municipal services in town.
“It’s been a difficult road for us trying to secure adequate funding to support the Goroka urban local level government to fix up the water problem.
“This will now be a thing of the past with the recent signing of the US$32 million support from the Chinese government.
“This will allow us to have a completely new water supply for town.
“It will have the capacity to meet the demands of the town and neighbouring communities like Kabiufa, Iufi-iufa, Asaro, Bena, and Kefamo where the
New Tribes Mission Station is located.
“It’s a very important project for the town.
“It will also boost the profile of Goroka as a destination for investment by people in Papua New Guinea and overseas.”