By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE stolen 12 steel beams for the redecking of bridges on the Tapini section of the Hiritano Highway in Central province have been returned.
The steel beams were reportedly stolen near Bakoidu station.
They were part of the stock that was bought for K918,000 from Honibrook in Lae in 2005 to replace the rotting wooden and bamboo decking of the five bridges.
The suspects returned these beams two weeks ago after being warned by nearby villagers that stealing would only deprive everyone in the remote Kuni and Goilala areas.
The 100km highway was closed in 1997 due to landslides, rotting timbers and bamboo decking of the bridges.
Meanwhile, Central Governor Alphonse Moroi said he had allocated K1.2 million to reopen the highway and K918,000 for the redecking of the bridges with steel.
Another K300,000 from the K1 million was withdrawn from the national Works Department trust account to contribute to the work currently done on the highway.
“I will be assisting Goilala MP Mathew Poia to reopen the highway whenever he needs me,” Mr Moroi said.
Both MPs are also calling on Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi to help them reopen the highway because 81km and three bridges along the highway are in his electorate.