District queries why K3m water project not completed

 PEOPLE in some parts of Gazelle, East New Britain, are demanding explanations on why a K3 million water supply project in their area has stalled.

People living in the project area Tanaka ward, Raim ward and others are in the dark.

When completed, the project will provide water to places like the Tapipi health centre. 

Three years have passed and the people in the project area in the Gazelle district are still waiting to access water.

Gazelle district administrator Ronald Midi, Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar and the provincial technical services confirmed yesterday that the project started in 2010 but soon stalled.

According to Midi, Kairak Centre, the training arm of the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE), was responsible for the scope of the project and was awarded that project.

He confirmed only part payment was made to the contractor and the balance would be paid upon completion.

Midi said the drilling for water at the project area kept failing for reasons only to the contractor could explain.

Other sources said it was likely the contractor misinterpreted the maps that indicated the depth of the water table.

It is understood the ENB Technical Services called for tenders to the project.

Project manager Francis Bonava was said to be engaged in a meeting and was not available for comment when contacted.