Water provider reassures city residents

Caption: (R) Eda Ranu Workers Association President Kalim Tamari, Association Secretary Alphonse Evari 

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

EDA Ranu Workers Association has assured the government and the residents of Port Moresby of their neutrality and non-participation in any upcoming strikes currently being organized by various groups in the nation’s capital through the social media.

In a press conference held alongside the Management and Board of the water provider, held last week- the workers association president Kalim Tamari reaffirmed their commitment to provide water services to residents, and dispelled any participation of any of its 120 members, who make up 95% of the total workforce of Eda Ranu.

“We will not be a party to holding the city at ransom- if we had any outstanding industrial issues it will be dealt with properly with the management,” he said.

“Eda Ranu is a State owned entity, and whatever that is occurring are political and should be left to the politicians.”

When asked what the issues were referred to for the proposed strike- he said that they were in relation to the K3 billion loan from the USB Investment Bank, the University of Technology saga, with University of Papua New Guinea contemplating on following the cause of their Lae brethren.

With the assurances of the workers association, Eda Ranu CEO Henry Mokono informed the media that the company was stepping up security at its facilities in and around the city to prevent opportunists from disrupting supply.

“In the event of a strike we have taken precautionary measures to tighten security at our major installations, and anyone suspiciously hanging around at those facilities with wrong intentions will be dealt with the full force of the law.”

When asked of the possibility of the involvement of PNG Power in the stop work strike, and how it would affect Eda Ranu- the management confirmed that they would be at the mercy of the power provider as the Sirinumu Dam catchment provided the main source of water.

They, however, stated that there were contingency plans in place to alleviate the problem if it that occurs.