Mokono: Pay bills in order to receive service

Caption:   Eda Ranu CEO Mokono opening one of the ceremonial taps to signify the commissioning of the complete project.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 30, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the direct message given to the burns peak community in Port Moresby and other settlements and villages in around Port Moresby by the Eda Ranu CEO Henry Mokono and other guests present, during the commissioning ceremony of the Burns Peak water project last week.

While commissioning the project, which was completed in September last year, greater emphasis was placed on informing the community on the importance on paying for the service they received- with the community’s bill already exceeding K9,000.

The project was funded in partnership between the Governor of NCD Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North West Micheal Malabag, and Eda Ranu collectively at a cost of K600,000.

“What you pay here is subsidized, less than what other residents in the city pay for,” he told the community.

“Just to bring in the service and maintain the quality of the water- it costs us money.”

“As a community you all have to work together to contribute to paying your bill.”

“Nothing is free and your member along with the other members and the governor have played their part by funding the project in their districts delivering on their election promises.”

Sentiments that were shared by the First Secretary to the Minister of Health Minister and local member Micheal Malabag, Guba Jack Daera, who pointed out that many communities in the city had ignored their bills which were in the tens of thousands.

“Just as how you pay for the power that comes to your homes, the same applies to water,” he said.

“The rate that you are paying is less than then what other residents pay- do not be like the other communities that have received this vital service and have huge bill like Pari Village who have a debt of K128,000, Hanuabada K38,000, and Baruni K43,000.”

“Water is going to reach all parts of the city through the members, who are doing their part so you must do the same by keeping up with the payments.”

He later made an announcement to the joy of the crowd that their member would foot the bill only for one time, and urge them to take responsibility that they were using.