Goroka embraces Wash in push to give people clean water and sanitation

By ZACHERY PER
GOROKA has implemented the water sanitation hygiene (Wash) programme.
Goroka MP Henry Ame, Goroka district development authority and Oxfam PNG International are spearheading the programme after signing an agreement on Friday.
Ame said 50 schools, nine health facilities and 2000 communities in Goroka would benefit from Wash.
He thanked Unicef, European Union, Oxfam International, Eastern Highlands government and national Government through the National Planning and Monitoring Department for supporting his district with funding for the project.
Ame said a survey revealed 80 per cent of the population of Goroka was in dire need of safe water and proper sanitation, according to a survey.
“The need to have access to proper water and sanitation facilities has seemingly been overlooked over the years,” he said.
Ame said the start of the programme marked the beginning of the implementation of Wash to be jointly supervised by Oxfam International and Goroka DDA.
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu has assured an annual fundingof K500,000.
He said most schools and health facilities did not have proper water and sanitation facilities and were prone to diseases like typhoid.
Local leaders George Mosinakave and Lutie Mateho thanked the funding agencies and Goroka district.