Gaming board funds tanks for Morobe village

By LARRY ANDREW
WOMEN in a village community no longer have to walk far to fetch water – thanks to a timely help from the National Gaming Control Board.
NGCB provided eight Tuffa tanks to the Wagang village, in the Ahi local level government council area, Lae district, Morobe, after board chairman Qwentan Chollai visited and saw that the community needed clean water.
Speaking at the opening of the completed project last Friday, Chollai told the community that funds for the water tank project came from the board’s Community Benefit Fund.
He said many people did not know about the fund whose  sole purpose was to help subsidise costs of communities projects.
“And we are pleased to see one such project maturing in the Lae district that will benefit Wagang villagers,” he said.
He said each tank could hold 5,000l nd the eight tanks would provide 40,000l of water.
Chollai said the project cost K142,000, of which K92,000 went to BNBM Hardware for the eight tanks and materials while K50,000 was given to the Ahi local level government to carry out construction.
 He committed another K50,000 towards the Wagang clinic to buy drugs, syringe, chairs and tables.
Local leaders offered their thanks to the NGCB for the tanks which they said were a relief for women and girls who had been walking long distances to fetch water for cooking and drinking.
Chollai urged Wagang villagers to take ownership and look after the water tanks.
Also present to witness the occasion was Minister for Public Service and Lae MP Bart Philemon.