Wash project to focus on districts

Districts will be the focal point for water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) service delivery, says National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru.
Speaking at the launch of the Esa’ala district water development exposition and exhibition in Alotau, Milne Bay, on Monday, Maru said the Wash service delivery in PNG was urban-biased.
Maru explained that Water PNG provided safe, equitable and sustainable water and sanitation in 14 out of 20 provincial towns and six out of 88 district towns while Eda Ranu catered for NCD.
He said the Wash sector under which most of the 82 unserved districts fell was still fragmented with lack of clarity of roles and gaps in responsibility
“It is the Government’s responsibility to provide guidance as well as the enabling environment to stimulate change and today’s call for reform to the water industry and thus the Wash sector shows the O’Neill-Abel Government leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life our people, especially the 87 per cent that live in the unserved rural areas,” Maru said.
“Access to safe water stands at only 40 per cent while access to improved sanitation stands at 19 per cent.”