The completion of a new community-built gravity-fed water supply system will significantly improve access to clean water for Pakia Village.
Pakia Village is located in Panguna District, within the Ioro 2 constituency in Bougainville.
Extending over 2.7 kilometres from the Kairo water source to Pakia Sub Village, the new system will benefit more than 345 people each day.
“Women and children will no longer be required to risk their safety in search of contaminant-free water,” said Anna Naiken, Chairperson of the Pakia Sub Village Project.
The project reflects strong community ownership, partnership, and commitment. Local leaders initiated the effort, securing co-contributions from the former Ioro 2 Constituency Member, Hon Theonila Roka Matbob, as well as support through the Australian and New Zealand-funded Bougainville Community Grants Scheme.
At the opening ceremony, Ms Greer Smith, Head of the Australian Development Office in Bougainville, said:
“This program focuses on partnership, peacebuilding, and supporting grassroots leadership — and Australia is proud to work in cooperation with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, New Zealand, and the Pakia community.”
“I am also pleased to hear that this gravity-fed water supply system will serve 18 sub-villages across Upper Pinenari,” she added.
Ms Smith noted that the project will bring clean, safe water closer to homes, reducing long daily journeys, improving health and hygiene, and supporting stronger family life.
The project will particularly benefit mothers, children, elderly people, widows, and people with disabilities, who will now have safer and easier access to reliable water.
The Bougainville Community Grants Scheme is a community-led initiative that supports Bougainville-based groups to work in partnership with Community Government leaders and District Community Development Officers. Together, they develop and deliver projects that improve local livelihoods.
Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea continue to work together to drive growth, enhance stability, and strengthen service delivery at the subnational level through inclusive partnerships across priority regions.
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Edmund Bikina, one of the Pakia Water Supply beneficiaries, testing the tap after the opening ceremony.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100