POM to get water system upgrade

 A MULTI-million kina project to upgrade the Port Moresby sewerage and water system is to get off the ground soon.

Public Enterprises and State Investments minister Ben Micah said talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Independent Public Business Corporation had been successful.

Micah said the project had been delayed for far too long and had instructed the IPBC to work with JICA, Eda Ranu and other stakeholders to ensure the project got off the ground.

“This is a priority project for Port Moresby. We have a rapidly growing population and infrastructure development,” he said.

“And given that we also have the 2015 Pacific Games and the 2018 Apec meeting in Port Moresby, we must fast-track this project and get it going.”

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill assured Japan during his recent visit there of the PNG government support for the project because of the development taking place in the national capital. 

“We are observing and experiencing problems in the capital city and this must be fixed,” he said.

Micah said the government entered into an agreement with JICA nine years ago to carry this out. But technical and financial problems delayed its progress.

Micah said any further delay could affect other projects planned by Japan for PNG.

“I have re-iterated the government’s commitment to this project to a visiting JICA delegation and will ensure all barriers are resolved for the benefit of the residents of Port Moresby and the country as a whole.”