The K8.5 million Ward 1 Water Rehabilitation Project was officially launched at the indigenous Elevala Village in Port Moresby to rehabilitate and replace ageing water pipelines servicing Motu Koita communities.
The project has been made possible through a collaboration amongst the National Government, the NCD Provincial Government, the Moresby Northwest District and Water PNG.
The launching ceremony was officiated by the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Local-Level Government, Hon. Soroi Marepo Eoe on behalf of Prime Minister James Marape, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, and Water PNG Limited’s Honk Kiap.
The project will involve the rehabilitation and replacement of ageing pipelines servicing communities within Ward 1, including Poreporena, Lah, Kaevaga, Tatana, Baruni, Koukou and Sasiva.
Funding includes K1.85 million contributed through Moresby Northwest DDA, K4.5 million committed and appropriated by the National Government, K1 million committed by the NCD Governor, and another K1 million from Water PNG Limited.
The project was initiated by Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel in 2021, in partnership with Monitor Limited, development partners and local residents.
The project is aimed at contributing to improving and modernising water infrastructure and services for Motu Koita communities.
Chairman of the Motu Koita Assembly, Hon. Russel Simon Wavik, said: “On behalf of the Motu Koita Assembly, I sincerely thank the National Capital District Commission, led by Chairman and Governor Parkop, the Member for Moresby Northwest, the National Government, Water PNG Limited, our development partners and everyone who have contributed to making this important initiative possible.”
Chairman Wavik said they would continue to do their best to ensure that the Motu Koita people were recognised, included and given a meaningful place in the future development of Port Moresby.
Wavik described the project as a “true partnership” and an “impact project”.
He also appealed to the National Government, through Minister Soroi Eoe and Governor Parkop, for more assistance to fix the pipes in the east-side villages.
In his speech, Governor Parkop said Motu Koita people must be given priority in the areas of job opportunities, business and government services.
Mr. Parkop said the capital city of Papua New Guinea sits on their customary land and that they are the legitimate landowners of the city.
He said the Motu Koita people deserved quality government services.
Governor Parkop said he had committed to serving the people of Motu Koita over the years and that, under this project, NCDC, through his chairmanship and the governorship, had contributed K1 million towards the rollout of the water project.
Under his Motu Koita Modernization initiative, he highlighted projects delivered and they include water distillation projects at Pari and Vabukori, Hanuabada road rehabilitation, classroom buildings, Baruni village road rehabilitation and resealing, Baruni water project and others.
Mr. Parkop also promised the people of Motu Koita:
“I am committed to supporting the east-side villages of the Motu Koita communities to roll out the water project through similar collaborations between the National Government and other partners.”
Minister Eoe, representing Prime Minister James Marape, said the Prime Minister had given an assurance of K10 million.
“This afternoon, I will give a bit of assistance on behalf of the Prime Minister. Of course, K4 million has been mentioned by various speakers. The Prime Minister also gave assurance of additional K10 million,” Eoe said.
Mr. Eoe said the message that reached the Prime Minister earlier was related to improving housing.
He said the Prime Minister had committed the K10 million because water, housing and improving people’s lives in general were part of the programme that needed to be addressed.
“So, the lives of our Motu Koita citizens can be improved,” he said.
Eoe said there were many major developments taking place in the city, including the NRL and tourism, and that visitors from Australia would be coming and staying in Port Moresby.
He called on the National Government, city government and the Motu Koita Assembly to prepare to accommodate and welcome visitors while improving infrastructure.
“So, let’s work together to improve your lives and, of course, the infrastructure that you’re referring to, so as to ensure that we are prepared when we receive people coming from other parts of the country,” Eoe said.
Eoe said the government would continue to support the initiative and other programmes being considered for the future.
“The Government will continue to stand by you and give you the support you require,” he said.
He later reiterated that the National Government had committed another K10 million to help rehabilitate houses for Motu Koita West communities, saying this would be the next project.
The launching ceremony for the K8.5 million Water Rehabilitation Project ended with the official groundbreaking by the delegates.
Monitor Limited displayed samples of the water pipes at the conclusion of the ceremony.
It was stated that the infrastructure was designed to provide reliable and clean water services for many years.