Vanimo CS receives water tank as El Nino hits country

The Correctional Service in Vanimo, West Sepik has received a 1000 litre water tank from Bewani Oil Palm Limited to help inmates cope with expected water shortages during the current El Nino period.

Vanimo CS Commander, Michael Auirap said clean drinking water is the facility’s most urgent problem.

"As Vanimo has no water supply in place, inmates will be greatly affected when the province faces drought," Auirap said.

The facility currently has only two water tanks for drinking water. For bathing and other uses, inmates depend on a well inside the CS compound.

Inmate Albert Apo said the well water is affecting inmates’ health.

"Since the CS compound is surrounded by the sea, the water from the well mainly comes from the sea. This has caused skin infections on the inmates and that has been a concern for us," Apo said.

Commander Auirap thanked Bewani Oil Palm Limited for the donation. He also acknowledged Vanimo business houses that donated 20-litre water containers for storage.

With storage now improved, the CS is asking for help with transport.

"Now that we have secured water storage containers and a tank, we are seeking assistance from the CS department and the West Sepik Provincial Government to assist us with logistics, specifically a truck, to travel out to get water for the inmates," he said.

"They are under the government's custody so they need us during this El Nino period."

The National Weather Service has warned of drier than normal conditions across PNG in the coming months due to El Nino.