ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/06/2004 10 March 2004
Australian High Commissioner inaugurates Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Shillong
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO, will pay an official visit to the North Eastern State of Meghalaya on 10 ? 14 March 2004, to inaugurate the Australia-India Shillong Urban Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Project.
"The Shillong Urban Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Project is designed to bring about institutional and other changes that will improve significantly the quality of water and sanitation services in Shillong. We expect these changes to have considerable benefits for the health and well-being of the population of the city," said Ms Wensley.
The project is implemented jointly by Government of Meghalaya agencies and an Australian contractor, Kellogg Brown and Root. It will involve close engagement with communities in the greater Shillong area. The Australian Government will contribute approximately A$ 7.65 million (Rs 27 crores) to the current two-year phase of the project.
The High Commissioner will inaugurate the project office and visit a centre being established by the project to manage geographical information. Accompanied by Mr Kerry Groves, Senior AusAID representative to India, she will also visit the Mawphlang dam and water treatment plant to gain a first-hand appreciation of Shillong's water and sanitation needs.
During her visit, the High Commissioner will meet the Governor of Meghalaya, Mr M M Jacob, the Chief Minister, Mr D D Lapang; other Ministers and senior officials, as well as community representatives connected with Australian-funded development activities in the State.
In addition to focussing on Meghalaya's water and sanitation needs, Australia is paying particular attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in North East India. "Australia is at the forefront of regional and international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. It is an area of priority focus for Australia's development cooperation in India. HIV/AIDS poses a significant threat to the well-being and development of peoples of the North East and surrounding states and countries. Only concerted action by governments and local communities, with help from the international community, will slow the spread of this devastating pandemic," Ms Wensley stressed.
In Shillong, the High Commissioner will inaugurate a training workshop, funded by Australia, to build the capacity of NGOs in the North East region to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since 1994, the Australian Government has provided around A$ 1 million (Rs 3.5 crores) to support the efforts of local NGOs in North East India to help prevent the spread of the disease and to care for those infected with the HIV virus.
For information contact: Mr Kerry Groves, Counsellor (AusAID) 9810408110 or Mr Ramesh Subramaniam, Senior Project Officer, AusAID, 9810499225; (011) 2688 8223 ext 505.