Angoram communities gain access to clean drinking water

The Pagwi and Burui communities will now have access to clean and healthy drinking water, following the installation of three water filters.

The project complements the Clean Water Program, initiated by East Sepik governor Allan Bird with the first solar-powered bore in Marienberg, Angoram district, designed to address the urgent need for safe water in rural communities across the province. Since then, solar-powered bore systems have been progressively rolled out to villages and institutions.

The Momase Group in Melbourne, Australia, together with Rotary Peninsula 2.0 Club facilitated by Jacinta Bandi, raised funds to provide water filters that add value to the Governor’s initiative. Each filter, valued at AU$5,000 [about to K14,600] ensures that water drawn from underground sources is purified, making it clean and safe for drinking.

Veronica Kurufer, spokesperson for the Momase Group, explained that the project was inspired by the devastating floods and earthquake that struck the Sepik River.

“We initially thought of setting up a bore system, but we were fortunate to learn that Governor Bird’s office had already established solar-powered water bores. This allowed us to focus on raising funds for water filters,” she said.

On March 4 2026, Bird visited Pagwi Station, St. Marceline Secondary School, and Burui Health Centre to witness the installations. He extended his appreciation to the Momase Group and Rotary Peninsula 2.0 Club for their contribution.

“This program was initiated after my office identified the urgent need for clean water in rural areas across the province,” Bird said.

This collaboration demonstrates how international partnerships can complement local initiatives, ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water for rural communities in East Sepik.