Works secretary David Wereh

Proper bridge for Bialla needed

The Ivule Bridge has always been Mother Nature’s target during prolonged wet seasons, causing problems for commuters travelling to and from the New Britain Highway.

Wereh said currently there is an ongoing program to replace 14 bridges under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank.

He said the Ivule Bridge is a critical bridge but has always been a problem.

“Our future plan is to talk to donors to extend the program where they can take these additional bridges in the existing program,” stated Wereh.

Tenders out for highway rehabilitation

Works Secretary David Wereh says tenders for three sections of the Highlands Highway, beginning from Nadzab in Morobe, are now open for bids.

He says the Government has successfully secured a K3 billion loan for a 10-year road rehabilitation program for identified sections of the highway.

“There are three major tenders that have gone out. The first is for Nadzab all the way to Henganofi. The second is from Henganofi all the way to Chuave and the third is from Chuave all the way to Jiwaka for upgrading and rehabilitation work,” states Wereh.

Works secretary responds to critics

David Wereh clarified that the 60 to 70 percent road conditions he described in one of the dailies, was not the state of the road but the accessibility.

“Our point is that the highway is accessible, that basic services are still flowing,” says Wereh.

“Containers full of basic goods are being transported from one service arm to another point. This is the important message we want to give.”

He states unlike in the past, today’s turnaround times for the department have been very effective.

Four lane road project to benefit locals

Works secretary David Wereh said the National Government is funding the four lane road construction and there is a clause for local participation.

“We are providing allowance for local content because it is the Government’s fully funded project,” says Wereh.

He said people can lease their machinery to the contractor, getting sub-contracts or direct employment.

The second phase of the reconstruction and upgrading of the four lane road from Lae – Nadzab sections of the Highlands Highway will commence soon.

Budget cut will affect department, says Wereh

The National Government, in last month’s Parliament sitting, passed the 2016 Supplementary Budget to raise revenue from its national purse to meet the shortfalls in its 2016 national budget revenue projections.

Department of Works had cuts to its operational and capital expenditures, totalling over K200 million.  

"Our accounts clerks are doing a full review of the supplementary budget and then we’ll see what the implications are," Secretary Wereh told Loop PNG.