Sepik Highway

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli said there had been increase in traffic accidents along the highway in the recent months.  He said with election campaign going on, the movement of vehicles has increased. Road users are being asked to apply caution when traveling.

The K20 million project, which was launched recently, will replace culverts, patch potholes and undertake full-width pavement repairs through to 2020. This will improve the condition of the road in the near term while extending its lifecycle.

Australian Minister Counsellor, Benedict David, underscored the importance of prioritising maintenance.

“Road maintenance is so important for keeping businesses and communities connected. It ensures roads are kept in good condition in the most cost-effective way.

The project covers the road from Kreer Junction to Maprik.

The project includes essential maintenance works such as drainage clearing, culvert replacement, pavement repairs, pothole patching, and resealing. Australia is also funding the supervision of this project.

Department of Works Secretary, David Wereh, sees this project as an important step towards delivering safer, more reliable roads for PNG.

“The Department is putting maintenance first to ensure that our national priority roads are maintained to continue to connect businesses and communities,” he said.

This is an appeal from Thomas Morimaren, Ward 19 councillor in the Yangoru-Saussia Electorate of East Sepik Province, to local MP Richard Maru.  

Councillor Morimaren’s comments follow an armed hold up on Thursday where Jawia Primary School  grade 8 students who wanted to travel into Wewak, Wom Beach had their hired vehicle held up and robbed at Kinenien Village, about 10km from the main highway.       

He said people living between Wamayan and Baimuru want a police post to be built at Kusambuk so the police can attend quickly to crime.