PNGUoT’s ATCDI COMMISSIONS WATER PROJECT FOR WAMPIT VILLAGE
By Abednego PETER
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), through its Appropriate Technology and Community Development Institute (ATCDI), has delivered clean, safe drinking water to the people of Wampit Village through the commissioning of a water project.
The new solar-powered water supply system through ATCDI’s sanitation program was officially commissioned on Monday 5th of May, by Member for Huon Gulf Jason Peter, and representatives from PNGUoT.
“This is a good start of bottom up planning where such projects impact lives of people from local level and this is a great relief to the people of Wampar LLG and an achievement for Unitech ATCDI” Mr Peter said.
This project is the first of three water systems under a K420,000 partnership between the Huon Gulf District Development Authority and ATCDI, with each village budgeted at K140,000 for materials and technical delivery.
The system includes a solar-powered submersible bore pump, a 9,000-litre water storage tank, and a pipeline network that supplies water directly to Wampit Primary School and nearby communities.
With installation and testing now complete, families and school children finally have access to clean water at their doorstep.
District Education Manager, Mr. Sem Geseng, also shared how the lack of water disrupts learning. “Many times, I had to close the school because there was no water. But now, with this new system, our children can continue learning without interruption. I thank the Member and ATCDI for this great help,” he said.
A mother from Wampit shared challenges faced in accessing clean and safe water saying, “Sometimes we get typhoid or malaria from the dirty water. When there was a high tide, we had to go without. But today, water is just outside our homes. Thank you, ATCDI.”.
ATCDI Chairman and PNGUoT Council Member Mr. David Masani, while making a comparison of similar projects, said ATCDI delivered this project at a reasonable cost of K150,000 and also continues to offer free technical advice. He encouraged other communities to partner with the PNGUoT for water, solar, and agriculture development.
“We thank the Member for trusting and partnering with Unitech.We urge other community leaders to work closely with Unitech for water, solar power, and agricultural development,” Mr. Masani said.
Wampar LLG Ward 2 Councillor, Mr. Douglas Ruban, expressed deep gratitude. “Since 1963, we’ve suffered without clean water. Now, thanks to ATCDI, our prayers have been answered…. Waterborne diseases were common because our catchment was easily contaminated.”
The other two water projects under this contract are already underway in Gabensis and 5-Mile.
“We provide quality service at the lowest possible cost, while making sure everything is up to standard. That’s our mission” said ATCDI Admin Officer Ms. Joberth Wape
Hon. Jason Peter thanked the ATCDI team and said, “We look forward to more partnerships with ATCDI and Unitech so that this development can reach other parts of Huon Gulf District.”
