Wewak gets five-year strategic plan, secures climate-resilient water service

From right: Wewak district adaministrator Gideon Kaivi receiving the five-year strategic plan from WASh technical advisor Shirley Rovou, flanked by Wewak rural LLG president Earnest Ikau *(Image: Supplied)*

WaterAid Papua New Guinea has presented a technical blueprint to Wewak to manage its own climate resilient water services, in a major step towards localized governance and service delivery.

The Wewak District WASH Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029 is the first of the five district plans designed to guide East Sepik towards full access to safe and water and sanitation by 2030.

“The handover of this plan signifies the district’s leadership in managing its own WASH Future,” senior programs manager for WaterAid PNG, Donald Kanini said. “By aligning this plan with the National WASH Policy and MTDP IV, we are ensuring that water projects in Wewak area climate-resilient, inclusive, and most importantly, owned by the district government”.

The plan was officially handed over to Wewak District Administrator Gideon Kaivi by WASH Technical Advisor Shirley Rovou.

Rovou said the primary purpose of the plan is to improve and accelerate inclusive WASH services across 6 LLG’s of Wewak District.

When receiving the blueprint, Kaivi said the plan and its budget will be given to Wewak Rural LLG President Earnest Ikau to be presented to the next DDA for Wewak District.

The Wewak District WASH Plan provides a data-driven investment guide for the DDA with specific details on infrastructure needs and maintenance. This marks a shift from reactive project-based work to a proactive, 5-year strategic approach to provincial health and hygiene.

Meanwhile, the plan is a core deliverable of the AQUA Project, a multi-year initiative currently supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation [TCCF]. It builds upon foundational research and community mapping previously funded by the Water for Women Fund [Australian DFAT]. The transition of funding highlights a unique partnership model where international aid and corporate philanthropy combine to deliver long-term government infrastructure.