Former IPBC man to head JICA project

mlipen National, Normal

FORMER executive adviser of Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), Brian Yombon-Copio, has been appointed as project co-ordinator for the Port Moresby sewerage system upgrading project.
The project was funded by the Japanese International Co-operation Agency.
Mr Yombon-Copio was instrumental in getting the project approved by the Government.
He managed the project when he was with IPBC.
He left IPBC with three others after a restructure.
Mr Yombon-Copio will coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the project.  
The Port Moresby sewerage upgrading project will be implemented this year after the signing of exchange of notes between the Papua New Guinea and Japanese governments in Dec 11 last year.
The signing had paved the way for the loan agreement to be executed between the two governments.
The Government will be borrowing K209 million, to fund the project.
It considered the project to be important as it has environmental and social significances.
Port Moresby is rapidly growing.
It has a population of around 400,000 people with an annual growth rate of 3.7%.
Given the situation, the water consumption demand has significantly increased and there is no sewerage treatment plant in the coastal area although there was a sewerage system built in the inland area (Waigani). 
Currently untreated wastewater is directly discharged into the ocean because there is no
sewerage treatment plant in the area.
This is contaminating sea water quality in the coastal areas and imposing serious environmental and social problems.
There is a serious impact on the water quality and marine ecosystem as well as in the aspects of sanitation, poverty and fisheries.
The inhabitants, who make a living from fisheries and marine resources in the coastal area are seriously affected.
The coastal environment extends from Tatana-Baruni to Pari villages.
These areas are currently considered a very sensitive zone which comprises of very fragile reef, coral and marine life.
The new sewerage facilities involve the construction of treatment plants at Paga point, Kila Kila and the rehabilitation of the existing pump station in Waigani area.