K4m fixed water woes

 By GYNNIE KERO

EDA Ranu spent K4 million this year to address problems plaguing its water and sewerage network, chief executive Henry Mokono said.

There were problems on the water agency’s ageing network, which depreciated over time, he said.

However, Mokono said Eda Ranu still delivered quality and safe water to communities in Port Moresby and has been ranked among the top water utility companies in the world.

Mokono said this last week following a report issued by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) that the water agency had not delivered on its targets for last year.

The commission’s analysis indicated that Eda Ranu failed to meet a number of the most significant targets outlined in the 2009 water and sewerage pricing arrangement report, including the number of sewerage overflows, break and chokes and water mains breaks and leaks. 

“In terms of quality, water Eda Ranu does not compromise,” Mokono said.

He stressed that business houses in the city were also using illegal water connections.

 “The company keeps on losing millions of Kina in non- revenue water as a result of illegal water connections not only in settlements but also in business houses. 

“We spent an excess of K4 million in the past seven-eight months to fix the problem.

“The commission’s assessment on the company is a challenge for Eda Ranu to best serve the people,” Mokono said.

The water agency has engaged three contractors to visit properties in the suburbs to improve service delivery to consumers.

Under its new board, the management has forged important partnerships with parliamentary leaders to bring long-term services to the people in their electorates.