"There were still some water pipes to be repaired."
Ternate, North Maluku (ANTARA News) - Some residents have not been receiving clean water during the last six years in Juanga and Pandanga village, Morotai Island district, North Maluku province.

Wisnu, a resident of Juanga village, said recently that the Water Utility Company (PDAM) of Morotai Island district draws water from three wells and clean water from Nakamura Island.

However, the PDAM could not distribute clean water to the two villages because of technical problems. The clean water supply projects from the central government have not been carried out, he added.

Tamrin Robo, Director of Morotai Island PDAM, has confirmed that it could not distribute water to Pandanga village because of problems at the Nakamura waterfall.

"There were still some water pipes to be repaired, so we asked local residents to be patient as technical personnel must be brought from Java," he said.

Further, as a result of the water crisis, some residents were forced to spend Rp250.000 to purchase clean water from private tankers.

Meanwhile, some villages in South Halmahera district also have clean water problems, as local residents had been experiencing water shortages following the arrival of the dry season.

Isran, a resident of Wayamiga village, Bacan Timur subdistrict, said that local residents have been consuming rain water, the supply being completely dependent on the rainy season.

According to Isran, those residents who live in the village desperately need clean water every day, noting that there has not been enough rain water to meet their needs.
(Uu.C005/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012