BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
Auki Community High School has resumed access to running water after successfully negotiating the reconnection of its supply with Solomon Water following a prolonged disconnection caused by outstanding water bills.
The school faced a serious water shortage last month after its water supply was cut due to unpaid bills accumulated over several years. The situation disrupted school operations and forced the suspension of classes during break times after the school’s rainwater tanks were depleted.
The disruption raised concerns among parents and guardians about the welfare of students and the school’s ability to maintain normal operations.
School principal Andrew Fuato’o said the water issue was a longstanding problem inherited from previous administrations.
He explained that the debt, which now totals approximately $33,000, dates back to the 2011 FOPA event and has remained unpaid for years.
“The water issue we are currently facing is the result of outstanding Solomon Water bills amounting to around $33,000. The debt originated during the previous administration following the FOPA event in 2011.
“The former school administration informed me that several outstanding obligations from the FOPA event, including rental payments owed to the school, were never settled. Since then, the water bills have continued to accumulate until Solomon Water eventually disconnected our supply,” Mr Fuato’o said.
Mr Fuato’o said the school’s water service was restored this week following negotiations with Solomon Water’s Auki office and the payment of reconnection and installment fees.
“Because the water issue was affecting both the school and our students, I met with Solomon Water officials last week to negotiate a solution. Following the discussions, I was granted approval to settle the outstanding bill through installments and pay the reconnection fee.
“Our water supply has now been restored, and classes are running smoothly once again,” he said.
He said the remaining balance will be settled with support from parents and guardians, following approval during a recent Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting.
Auki Community High School is one of Malaita Province’s key educational institutions, serving students from Auki town and surrounding communities. The school caters to many children of working families living in and around the provincial centre.
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