AUSSIE AID PROGRAM DELIVERS WATER SUPPLY TO UMIP COMMUNITY IN MARKHAM

BY BRADLY MARIORI

THE Australian Government, through the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) has supported the delivery of a new water supply system for communities in Umip, Morobe Province.

Australia Consul-General in Lae, Brenton Kanowski has opened a water project for the Umip community in Onga-Waffa LLG in Markham, Morobe Province worth K80,000 yesterday.

Kanowski said they support reliable water supply for Umip community through the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP).

He said the project was implemented by the Adventist Development Agency (ADRA) in partnership with the Onga-Waffa Local Level Government and President Hon Willie Simbisi.

Kanowski said the project has provided sustainable access to clean water for more than 2,000 people across a number of communities with the grant of PGK 80,000 provided by the Australian High Commission funded the project.

He said prior to this project, families in Ward 12 have carried water many kilometres every day and this project has addressed that challenge by installing a system that pumps water to uphill reservoirs, allowing gravity-fed distribution to both sides of the mountain where communities can now access safe and reliable water.

Onga Waffa LLG President, Willie Simbisi thanked Australian High Commission and said water one of the main needs of his people.

Simbisi said without the help of the Government and people of Australia, this wouldn’t be possible and also thanked them for other projects they have delivered to the people of Markham.

Markham MP, Koni Iguan said the district will continue from there and provide water supply to other parts of the LLG and Markham District.