Australia is partnering with the Morobe Provincial Administration to improve water security at participating elementary schools across the province.
This is part of Australia’s commitment under the PNG–Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership to ‘strengthen cooperation on PNG’s priority regions and economic corridors to drive growth, enhance stability and improve service delivery.’
Australia is piloting this Water Security Project in three provinces, Western Highlands, East Sepik, and Morobe from 2023 to 2025.
Reliable and safe access to clean water is a key focus area for Papua New Guinea, as stated in the National WaSH Policy 2015-2030, and a critical development and climate change policy priority for Australia.
One of the Water Security Project’s key objectives is to support provincial governments in strengthening their governance systems and institutional capacity to improve essential service delivery—in this case, water services. By co-funding the project, the Provincial Administrations demonstrate their commitment and ownership of these initiatives.
On 12 June 2024, the Morobe Provincial Administrator, Mr Max Bruten, presented a cheque of K500,000 to the Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Penny Morton. The provincial co-contribution, together with Australia’s K6 million funding contribution, will be used to construct water facilities at the selected elementary schools across the province.
Equipping these elementary schools with rainwater tanks and collection facilities will ensure that the students, teachers, and nearby communities can access a safe and quality water supply.
Morobe Provincial Administrator, Mr. Max Bruten, said, "We have formed a technical working group for the project comprising representatives from various sectors, including civil society, which will establish governance mechanisms, including leading a committee of local stakeholders to provide project oversight, leadership, and decision-making for the water security project in Morobe."
Thelmah Hungito, on the technical working group, commented, “I am happy with the provincial administration’s inclusion of a diverse group of local stakeholders in the technical working group. This encourages participation from a cross-section of the community in ensuring the project’s relevance, long-term success, and sustainability.”
This project not only highlights the strong bilateral ties but also actively supports local businesses and communities by engaging local contractors for construction and through the purchase of materials locally.
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Ms Penny Morton (second from right), Deputy Provincial Administrator Social Services Mr Robin Bazzinuc (left) with staff and students of Bumbu Stage 1 Elementary school during the launch of the water security project.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100