By Rolynda Jonathan
Koror, Palau – A much-needed project is underway to improve the quality of water in Palau’s southern state of Peleliu with the recent approval for a $4 million desalination and solar project.
Funded by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the project will involve the use of reserve osmosis technology to improve water quality and the use of solar energy to power the plant.
“This is good news for the people of Peleliu who have suffered for years from brackish and inadequate supply of healthy potable water, “ said President Johnson Toribiong, whose office helped spearhead the said project.
The project is anticipated to begin in a few months after completion of the Financial Agreement for the implementation of the project.
In his letter of congratulations to Palau, Tuiloma Nerodi Slade, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat said that both Palau and the Secretariat will work together to “ensure that the implementation of the project is expedited.”
Under the Pacific Environment Community Fund (PEC Fund), which is administered by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, each Forum Island Country (FIC) is provided with an indicative allocation of $4 million to support projects with a focus on the provision of solar power generation systems and sea water desalination plants or a combination of both.
Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and now Palau are the latest Forum countries to access the PEC Fund this year for solar or desalination projects in their respective countries.
The funds are part of a pledge by the government of Japan to Pacific island countries during the PALM 5 summit in Hokkaido in 2009.
According to the President’s office, a similar proposal is pending for Angaur state who currently faces similar water issues.