Road Works

When government services such as airstrips deteriorated over the years until they became non-existent, people have been taking a risky a 10-hour boat ride into the provincial capital of Kokopo city.

The introduction of MV Pomio vessel in 2021 had assisted locals in easing their travel, however the opening of the missing link is expected reduce travel time to just around four hours.

Works Minister, Solan Mirisim, and Prime Minister James Marape made the commitment during the launching of the Nawaeb District 5-Year Development Plan at Boana Station on Tuesday, September 12th.

“I am thankful that Minister Mirisim has committed the National Government to seal this entire road in 2024 onwards,” said the first term MP, Pelgen. 

He outlined that this vital road serves the district administrative headquarters and the people of Wain-Erap LLG, and will definitely set a priority for the people of Nawaeb.

The Lae City Authority says this is another industrial street road getting a much-needed facelift.

“It will be concreted,” said LCA.

“[A] Few months ago, we saw Sletfjord, another industrial street road adjacent to Erica, being concreted.

“Once work on Erica Street is completed, the two streets will complement each other well, making it convenient for business houses and industries such as Coca-Cola PNG to increase their productions while reducing cost in some areas of businesses.

“It’s one street at a time depending on funding availability.”

Only about 2.5km of road has been sealed whilst the other 2.5km is still on hold as Madang Provincial Works are trying their best to get all the suited materials on hand before work can continue.

According to Madang District Administrator, Albert Ului, there has been some delay due to sourcing of materials as one of their crushers, used for cracking stones (chips), had a breakdown, and is unable to be utilized at the moment.

Provincial Works needs the 14ml and 12ml crushed stones in order to complete the sealing process.

City Manager, Ravu Frank, commended the positive outcome, but is emphasizing on the need for further work to address the issue permanently.

Measures taken include clearing encroachments, scaling up cleaning and unblocking drainages, and engaging hydrology engineers for lasting solutions.

An establishment for a demolition exercise was located in 26 areas in the city allowing the flow of drain waters. The exercise has already taken place and is currently in process in some areas where residents have encroached on reserves.

Morobe’s Provincial Administrator, Max Brutan, made this statement during the recent launching of Menyamya's 5-year plan and new projects.

“Morobe is the biggest province and has its own enormous challenges,” Brutan said.

“We cannot solve Morobe’s problems overnight but having traveled along the roads into Menyamya, my heart broke when I saw the condition of the roads and the way our people live.

Mirisim confirmed that roads works currently facilitated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its contractors are scrutinized by managers from the works and highways department.

Mirisim was responding to questions posed by Member for Kainantu Open William Hagahuno.

Hagahuno raised concerns regarding the works on roads in his area by the ADB and the contractors that are awarded these road work contracts as conditions of the funding support sought.

He queried whether the department of works and highways merely plays a spectator-role.

This time, it was at the Bart Philemon Drive, which was formerly known as Mangola Street; the road link between Top Town and Main Market.

The four-lane road is 400 metres long and cost Lae City K10 million.

When commending contractor, JV PNG Investment, Morobe Governor, Songang Luther Wenge, said he introduced the idea of cement roads back in 2003 amidst much skepticism.

In 2011, Wenge commissioned the first concrete road in Lae city, which was the Huon Road.