Koroba township celebrates successful bore-water project

The successful water bore drill at Komo Secondary School recently in the Komo Hulia District (Supplied)

Koroba Station came alive on Saturday as leaders and community members gathered to celebrate the successful completion of a bore-water drilling program at the Koroba Catholic Mission in Koroba-Lake Kopiago district.

Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP William Bando, Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu and other delegates joined the community for the occasion.

Before officiating the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the successful drilling, MP Bando thanked the Hela Provincial Government for delivering the project, describing it as a serious and timely investment for the people.

"The ongoing El Niño drought has severely impacted our communities," MP Bando stated. "This swift intervention to deliver a clean water supply addresses our most urgent and critical need right now. On behalf of the people of Koroba-Lake Kopiago, I thank the Governor and believe further assistance will continue to reach our district."

Hela Governor Philip Undialu (white button shirt with cap) and Koroba Lake Kopiago MP William Bando with others during the commissioning of the successful water supply project at Koroba Catholic Mission on Saturday *(NBC News)*

Governor Undialu said the Koroba project is the third successful bore-water drilling completed so far, following similar projects at Tari Hospital and Komo Secondary School. He said the program will be extended to all parts of the province.
He revealed that the drilling project cost the Provincial Government K5 million.

"The Provincial Government has purchased four 10,000-litre water trucks, one for each district. One will be given to the Koroba-Lake Kopiago DDA," he said.

Governor Undialu added that the immediate priority of his government is to respond to the ongoing El Nino drought.

"About K25 million will soon be used to purchase food rations to assist the people. We will put a temporary stop to any other developments if the drought continues and focus on assisting the people," he said.

He said the project is part of the Hela Provincial Government's ongoing initiative to address severe water scarcity following the El Nino drought, which has left many communities, schools and health facilities struggling for clean and reliable water.

The drilling team will now move to other identified sites across Hela Province to ensure more institutions and villages have access to safe and sustainable drinking water.