RESIDENTS of Gizo town, the provincial capital of Western Province are once again reported enduing water shortage problems at the start of drought season .
The water shortage problem is said to be affecting residential homes, work and industrial premises in and around Gizo township.
Gizo water authority had resorted to rationing of supply of water to residents in an attempt ease the harsher conditions people faced.
WESTERN Provincial government authorities are calling for water rationing as drought conditions prevail at provincial capital Gizo.
Former premier of Western Province, George Solingi Lilo told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat that people desperate to find water have been queuing up for hours at water pipe line stands .
Mr.Lilo warned that if the present drought weather conditions continue for much longer time , public services in Gizo township would be forced to come to stand still.
Mr.Lilo said people have resorted to use bottled mineral water for both cooking and washing.
He said large demand for bottled mineral water had also instilled fear of shortage of the product.
Mr Lilo blamed deteriorating poor conditions of the aging infrastructure of Gizo township as the main contributing factor.
He said loss of water leaked through aging pipe supply lines contribute about 60 percent of the problem.
In view of that Mr.Lilo calls on the national government to take remedial measures in seriously addressing the problem.
In the meantime, Papua New Guinea National Weather Service had warned that cold conditions will continue to affect hundreds of thousands of people in both Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands as result of this year’s El Nino weather patterns.