MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
A multi-million dollar water supply project in Papua New Guinea 's second biggest city, Lae, was officially opened today by visiting Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Bruce Billson.
'By securing the local water supply system against the risk of major flood damage from the Bumbu River , we are protecting the entire region's water supply, making an enormous difference to the lives of the entire Lae community,' Mr Billson said.
'The port city of Lae is a vital link to the resource rich areas along the Highlands Highway, so secure and well maintained basic infrastructure is essential for the economic and social development of rural PNG.'
Mr Billson said that under the Australian aid program, nearly $17 million has been provided to secure the safety of the main pipeline supplying water to Lae, as well as improving storage capacity and water pressure.
'The three-year project included the installation of three storage tanks, construction of 26 kilometres of new pipelines, including two river crossings of the Bumbu River, connection to new water storage facilities and the installation of flow control valves,' Mr Billson said.
'The project was implemented by the PNG Water Board and all work was undertaken by local contractors, providing an employment boost to the local economy.
'Strong PNG participation in the delivery of Australian aid projects will increase from today with the announcement by Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, that all AusAID contracts will be open to competitive tender to all PNG companies,' Mr Billson said.
In addition to an estimated total of $435.6 million in official aid to PNG in 2004-2005, the Australian Government is implementing a five-year $1.1 billion Enhanced Cooperation Program under a joint agreement signed with the PNG Government on 30 June.
Mr Billson is in Papua New Guinea leading a Parliamentary delegation as part of the annual Ministerial Forum between Australia and Papua New Guinea .
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489