People from the Atolls in Bougainville will have access to electricity supply and water purifying projects set to commence in the coming weeks.
Through the 2023 High Impact Projects coordinated by Bougainville President, Ismael Toroama, locals on the Bougainville atolls will be recipients of five new Solar Mini Grids and Desalination Plants.
The project that costs K9.5 million will be built on Petats, Fead, Mortlock and Tasmas Islands and was awarded to local contractor DNF Engineering.
President Toroama said that the project is designed to provide people with the basic necessities of life and improve their livelihood within their communities.
“The rest of Bougainville takes for granted our ease of access to clean and safe drinking water. On the atolls it is a precious resource that they conserve and use wisely,” President Toroama said.
“Access to clean and safe drinking water is a universal right that I want our people in the Atolls to have. I urge our people in the Atolls to take ownership of this important development and use it to empower our communities,” President Toroama said.
President Toroama said that clean energy is the way to go with energy generation and the plants will not cause any harm to the environment and marine life in atolls.
The Mini Solar Grid and Desalination Plants will be constructed on communal areas, such as churches and schools, to enable greater community access by the people.
The Office of the President will also be conducting a feasibility study on the possible construction of a larger plant for Buin, Buka and Arawa Towns in the near future.