Utility firm to upgrade services

WATER PNG Ltd chairman Aiwa Olmi has assured residents in urban centres that water and sewerage services will be upgraded to efficient standards.
He said this in Chimbu on Friday during the launch of a new water project for Kundiawa town that would cost K20 million.
Olmi said Water PNG, in partnership with the World Bank, had embarked on several rehabilitation and construction projects in Kundiawa, Bulolo, Mt Hagen, Tari, Madang, Wewak and others.
“Kundiawa town did not have proper water and sewerage services for 20 years,” he said.
“Today is a historical moment for the people of Chimbu to witness this launching of our new water project.”
Olmi said it was through the political leadership that they were seeing results today.
He thanked Prime Minister James Marape for the leadership that would see Kundiawa receive quality water services.
Olmi was part of the ministerial delegation led by State Enterprises Minister William Duma, Police Minister and Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Willie Onglo, Chimbu Governor Michael Dua, North Waghi MP Dr Fabian Pok, Water PNG’s board of directors and acting Water PNG managing director Pakop Kurua.
He said water projects were specialised projects that needed engineering experiences.
Local contractor Kaiaworks Construction was awarded the contract.
He said a major rehabilitation project was planned for Mt Hagen’s water and sewerage system.
“As long as the funding is made available by our stakeholders and the National Government, Water PNG will bring water to all our people living in towns, cities, settlements and communities in the country. Kundiawa is an important project that must be completed and commissioned on time for all to use,” he said.
Olmi appealed to landowners, the provincial government and the Kundiawa-Gembogl district development authority to work with the contractor and Water PNG to ensure the construction phase was carried out with minimal disruption.