PNG Waterboard to sue Lae and Mt Hagen illegal users and debtors

THE PNG Waterboard is considering taking legal action against water users using water illegally and those that have acumulative debts over the 90-day amnesty period.
Thje water agency revealed, this as a three-month amnesty period provided under an integrated market clean-up (IMCU) campaign which started last August winds down.
Under the IMCU water users using water illegally in Lae and Mt Hagen were given an opportunity to go to the PNGWB office to discuss and come up with special payment arrangements for outstanding debts and get legally connected.
IMCU project manager Leo Kre said there were only two weeks left.
“There are no penalties during the amnesty period, but come November, we will use arrangements with police to arrest and charge people for stealing water under the Summary Offences Act,” he said.
Mr Kre said PNGWB was also governed by the National Water Supply and Sewerage Act through which it can prosecute defaulters between K500 and K10,000 for operating unlicenced water systems that do not comply with industry benchmarks.
PNGWB is mandated under the NWSS Act 1986 to provide clean water and safe sewerage services to the people of Papua New Guinea, except in the National Capital District which is catered for by Eda Ranu Limited.
Mr Kre encouraged people using water illegally or who have high debts to voluntarily report to the PNGWB offices in the two main centres and make use of the remaining two weeks of amnesty.