ExxonMobil PNG provides water support to combat drought

Photo caption:  ExxonMobil PNG LNG Plant manager Murray Bell and Papa Elementary School’s teacher in charge Puro Bisia (shaking hands) with representatives of ExxonMobil PNG’s Community Affairs team, Laba Holdings and Mauri Ranu at a water delivery to Papa Elementary school

As PNG continues to experience severe drought conditions ExxonMobil PNG Limited (EMPNG), operator of the PNG LNG project, has committed new resources to assist communities near the LNG Plant.
EMPNG has invested over 150,000 Kina in an initiative to provide clean drinking water for eleven primary schools and three health clinics in Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea.
The water project will see more than 100,000 litres of water supplied to the villages throughout December.
To support the efforts, water tanks will be installed for Porebada Elementary and Salvation Army Literacy School, Lealea Elementary School, Papa Community Pre-school and Bogi Literacy School.
LNG Plant Landowner Company, Laba Holdings Limited, will install the water tanks, undertake plumbing works and manage the water deliveries. 
The assistance comes in response to observations made by EMPNG teams during their visits to the four LNG Plant villages. The team learned that natural water sources in the area such as water wells and springs were drying up or had reached record low levels.
EMPNG LNG Plant Manager Murray Bell said the company was working hard to help address these issues.
“We recognise the significant impact the drought has had on communities near the LNG Plant,” Bell said.
“We hope to ease the burden on these areas through water delivery and installation of new water tanks to help health clinics and schools continue to operate. 
“By working with Laba Holdings Limited we have accelerated the project and hope to have the tanks installed and water deliveries underway before the end of the year.” 
Since 2013, EMPNG has supported over 500 farming household in villages near the LNG Plant by providing technical advice, basic gardening tools and plant material including drought resistant crops and monitoring activities.
EMPNG drought relief efforts have also been carried out across Hela and Western Provinces. Funding has been provided for almost 40,000 kilos of rice in partnership with the Salvation Army for Western Province and a 68,500 Kina donation has been made to the PNG Uniting Church to assist in their relief efforts around Hela.