Works Minister

This is part of a restructure to ensure the development and maintenance of roads are coordinated in an organised manner and the duplication of roles are done away with.

Works Minister, Michael Nali, said the repealing of the legislation and restructuring will ultimately conclude by the end of 2019.

In the meantime, arrangements have been made for the Department of Works, Provincial and District Development Authorities (DDAs) to share responsibility of roads throughout the country.

Today, Minister Nali and Works Secretary David Wereh inspected the work being carried out by China Harbour Engineering Construction.

The Works Minister said so far the maintenance work along the Poreporena Freeway has been going well and on schedule.

He said the purpose of his inspection was to see how the contractors have been doing their work given the weather pattern that contributes to the wear and tear the roads.

“As the Minister responsible, it is my job to inspect the road work from time to time.”

Michael Nali was making reference to the question raised in Parliament last Friday by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird.

Nali confirmed that K10 million was appropriated in the Supplementary budget for the roads.

Minister Nali explained that warrants were issued a few weeks before the closure of the 2017 financial year and his department was unable to procure and expand the funds for Wewak town roads within a few weeks. They also had no documentation to procure and spend funds.

This was revealed by Works Minister, Michael Nali, in Parliament today.

He said this when questioned by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird where the funding was and when it could be released.

Governor Bird said the K10 million was approved on November 13^th last year and a cheque given to the Works Department.

He said the next day, two contactors had arrived in Wewak to begin work but they stopped, believing it was contrary to finance management act.

Awesa said Polye should not play politics with road infrastructure, as it is the O’Neill Government that has delivered more and better roads than any Government in the past, including in the Kandep district.

“Regardless of the Member’s false and hollow claims, there is a substantial National Government road sealing program underway in Kandep, as there is around the nation.

"Our Government has been undertaking one of the most intensive road building and rehabilitations programs in our history.