The villagers at Sirinumu in the Central province are finally getting a clean water supply system for the first time despite hosting a massive dam on their land that was commissioned nine years prior to Papua New Guinea’s independence in 1975.

The new water supply system is set to launch tomorrow Thursday 16th October at the Berebei village, made possible solely through the Koiari Local Level Government (KLLG) Special Purpose Authority (SPA) funding.

The water supply system, which is in line with the National Government’s Medium-Term Development Plan IV, will benefit Berebei and the surrounding villages with clean fresh water for people’s uses.

The new water supply comes as a relief for mothers and daughters whom over the years have had to struggle to walk long distances to fetch clean water with saucepans and containers on their heads. A struggle they had to endure daily.

The Sirinumu Dam was commissioned in 1963 by the then Prime Minister of Australia Sir Robert Menzies. The dam supplied the city of Port Moresby with water and electricity over the years. Despite this vital service on their land, the locals in the area had no proper water supply up until now.

Koiari SPA Chairman Mr. Paul Noe said the water project was captured under the authority’s Community Development Plan to bring hope to the Sirinumu community and the surrounding communities.

The Koiari SPA also plans to create this opportunity for more villagers in Sirinumu.

“The Koiari SPA stands ready to partner with the Sirinumu Development Company (SIDCO), the local landowner company representing the local landowners, to carry out more water supply projects to other villages along the lake,” he said.

Meanwhile, the launching tomorrow is expected to be attended by dignitaries from the government, the departments, the provincial government and stakeholders.