Japan, PNG sign deal for water project in provinces

By MARJORIE FINKEO
CLEAN water supply projects in eight provinces will be rolled out after a contract was signed by Japan and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby yesterday.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato and Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Nakajima signed the K8 million contract for the solar-powered projects.
Pato said the country had a strong bilateral relationship with Japan and would continue to work closely with the people.
Nakajima said the money to procure solar-powered desalination equipment was part of Japan’s efforts to strengthen the ‘Basis for Resilient and Sustainable Development’, one of the pillars of the leaders’ declarations adopted at the 8th Pacific Leaders’ Meeting.
He said this was Japan’s second solar-powered project in PNG. The first was in Manus.
“I have travelled to Bipi Island in Manus for the project,” Nakajima said. “Those happy smiles on the faces of all the people of Bipi Island remains one of the most heart-warming memories in PNG.”
Nakajima said Japanese technology in this equipment could turn both sea water and muddy river water to safe drinkable water.
He said the provision of this equipment was a small but significant step towards addressing water problems in many parts of PNG.
Pato said climate change had been a major problem for PNG communities.
He said PNG had a strong bilateral relationship with Japan and would continue to work closely with it to bring in many more such projects.