In recognising the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in schools, ExxonMobil PNG, together with MONDIALE has completed the construction of new ablution facilities for Redscar High School and three other schools near the LNG Plant outside of Port Moresby.
These schools include Boera, Lealea and Papa Primary school.
Traditional toilet facilities built for students and teachers to use have deteriorated and were in unhygienic conditions that could potentially cause an outbreak in communicable diseases.
Head teacher of Redscar High School, Jerry Kabugla, said hygiene was a major health concern as the existing toilet facilities couldn’t cater for the number of students in school.
“Access to the new ablution block will improve the standard of hygiene, and the school is doing awareness on how best students can use this facilities so that it remains safe and sustainable in the longer-term,’’ said Mr Kabugla.
The new ablution blocks at each school will have ten new toilets and ten shower cubicles for male and female students to use.
LNG Plant Safety Specialist, Michael Davillier, said the need for this important infrastructure was identified through the company’s ongoing engagement with communities, in which water and sanitation was a key focus area that needed intervention to achieve priorities in the health and education sectors.
“As humans, our health and safety is our most fundamental need, and healthy populations are more likely to participate actively in the social and economic growth of their communities and their country.
“We hope to encourage students to practice hygienic behaviour with their families and communities, which can control the spread of communicable diseases and significantly reduce the incidence of such illnesses,’’ said Michael.
EMPNG is pleased to align this program with the government’s WASH policy 2015-30 in collaboration with Plant Site Gas Resource Directors as part of an ongoing effort in complementing Community Development Support initiatives in the four villages.