Water PNG to trial new concept in city

WATER PNG Limited is working on a water retailing business concept with the Motu-Koita Assembly (MKA).
Its pilot project will be in the Badihagwa area of Moresby North West.
The project will model a small-medium enterprise-type concept whereby the assembly will purchase bulk water from Water PNG and resell it at its own price.
Water PNG officer-in-charge Benard Thomas told The National that they would trial out the project in Badihagwa before rolling it in the city and other centres.
Thomas said this would ensure water supply was available for homes in each suburb in Port Moresby and return a profit for the company.
Thomas said Water PNG was no longer under direct Government control but operating as a state owned entity (SOE). “Today we operate as a company and pay the State dividends.”
He said the concept being piloted in Badihagwa would see the MKA selling water at its own rate through individual metering.
Thomas said Water PNG would monitor the use, provide technical assistance, maintenance and installation of pipes and meters.
He added that the second phase of the water supply maintenance in Port Moresby had been completed.
“We are waiting on materials before going into phase three which is the installation of meters,” he said.
Thomas said part of the reason why Port Moresby suburbs had been experiencing water rationing was the ongoing maintenance work that Water PNG was doing.