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Home > Programmes > International Waters Project
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| Community Champion - Kelly Madu |
Papua New Guinea
International Waters Project
Strengthening the Management of Waste in PNG
What is the focus of the PNG International Waters Project?
The PNG IWP is
working with the village of Barakau in Central Province to try and find
cost-effective ways to improve the management of their solid and liquid
waste.
What is the Problem?
In the 2003 evaluation
of the country’s priority environmental concerns waste was highlighted
as the most pressing issue needing to be addressed.
 |
Many people in Barakau are unaware of the
dangers posed by the poor management of solid and liquid waste |
Waste management within communities has deteriorated since independence. The colonial administration imposed and enforced strict community litter regulations but since independence, enforcement has diminished and people have become increasingly careless with waste management.
In addition, the
population has doubled over that period of time and the volume of waste
generated has increased substantially. Improper waste disposal is now
contributing to water pollution, ecosystem damage, and increasing health
problems.
Barakau, located
some 45 minutes drive from Port Moresby, was selected because the community
required urgent assistance to its improve waste management.
Barakau has a population of 1500 people and, as is traditional practice, more than two thirds of the houses are built over the sea. The sea has served as a useful dumping ground in the past but the growing population and changing nature of modern waste is accelerating the degradation of the local marine environment.
What are the project objectives?
- Raise community awareness of the need to properly dispose off solid and human waste
- Help the community establish an effective waste management system
- Help the people formulate and implement an effective marine resources management system
- Help make appropriate policy and legislative changes at the national level to support the formulation and implementation of community based environmental management plans.
Who manages the IWP?
The main implementing
agency for IWP PNG is the Department of Environment and Conservation.
The National Coordinator is Mr. Narua Lovai who is assisted by two Project
Facilitators; Mrs. Helen Havora and Mr. Mick Raga.
A National Task
Force consisting of relevant government and research institutions has
overseen the work of the project to date. Due to operational difficulties
the group will be replaced by a consultative group that will report to
the Environment Council as per the relevant provisions of the Environment
Act 2000.
What has been done to date?
 |
IWP PNG National Coordinator, Narua Lovai
& Waste Champion, Kelly Madu |
Intensive awareness
activities in the village were followed by the collection of baseline
data, participatory problem analyses and the identification of potential
solutions.
The IWP PNG team is implementing a Remedial Action Plan together with the people of Barakau village and the support of the DEC and other supporting agencies.
Where to next?
The following outcomes
are expected by December 2005:
- community waste management system in place and operating effectively
- cleaner village outlook
- healthy and productive reef system and;
- healthy and productive mangrove forests.
PROJECT CONTACTS
| Mr. Narua Lovai | Project Coordination Unit (PCU) |
| National Coordinator - International Waters Project | Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) |
| Department of Environment & Conservation | PO Box 240, Apia |
| PO Box 265, NCD, Waigani | Samoa |
| Papua New Guinea | Phone: +685 21929/24689 |
| Phone: +675 3252043 /2645 | Fax: +685 20231/24689 |
| Fax: +675 3254400 | Email: iwp@sprep.org |
| Email: iwp_png1@datec.net.pg |