Accessing water in ATS settlement, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Michelle RooneyPhD Candidate, Australian National

University

Presentation outline• Research background (Fieldwork,

Methodology, Summary of data)• Emerging issues• Challenges of water access– Supply/provision of water– Demand for water

Urbanisation and informal settlements in PNG

2010/2011 census• Population of PNG is 7.2

million• Population growth rate is

3.1% pa • NCD population is over

360,000 people and is growing at a rate of 3.3% pa

• Around 5% of PNG’s population now live in the NCD

Methodology

Interview components1. Demographic information on households

(gender, place of birth, age, education levels)2. Household characteristics (house structure,

latrine, electricity, fuel energy used for cooking and water source)

3. Incomes, employment and livelihoods4. Accessing land in ATS5. Main risks or threats to livelihoods in ATS6. Relationships with people – family, friends in

broader Port Moresby, Tufi and elsewhere

Land

• Customary landowners

• State• Private developers• ‘Others’ moving in

Household economy

• Employment• Economy• Relationships with kin

Services and utilities

• Water• Education: Donors,

NGO’s, Department of Education

Violence, crime and law and

order

• Ethnic violence• Law and order• Managing young men• Resilience

Broader environment:

Business, State,

Customary land owners

Development agencies

Local settlement norms, values and institutions

Supply and provision of water

• Political economy of water – customary landowners of Sirinumu dam

• Ecological factors – relatively low and seasonal rainfall

• Old water system• Growing population since

•Water is a scarce resource in Port Moresby

CHALLENGES OPPORTUNITIES• Collection of payments• Mismanagement of collected

payments• Late payments

EDA RANU DISCONNECTS WATER DUE TO NON PAYMENT OF BILL

• Vandalism: damage of water pipes and taps

• Low water pressure

• Commitments by MPs not followed up with delivery

• Political pressure by settlement populations on MPs and municipal authorities

• Many settlement residents make use of seasonal rainfall.

• Recent commitment by MP to install more taps

Em tasol – tenkiu

Thank you