Japan to assist re-building bridges in ABG

By ROMULUS MASIU
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has been challenged to fast-track negotiations with the Japanese government to re-build the damaged bridges along the Arawa/Kokopau highway.
Public and PMV owners using the section of the Arawa/Kokopau highway at the weekend reiterated the call in light of recent heavy floods that have been making crossing impossible and risky for travellers.
The ABG last year held talks with the Japanese government with both parties signing an agreement on the latter to help erect some of the washed-out bridges on the island.
Most of the bridges, which were built before the crisis, have been washed-out by floods due to heavy downpour experienced on the island region.
As part of the agreement last year a team of engineers from the Japanese government visited the island and conducted a survey of the damaged bridges.
To date there was no report on the outcome of the survey, which was causing frustration among the public especially those using the highway everyday.
The project would cost millions of kina.
Veteran PMV highway driver Peter Sikonu wants the ABG to fast- track the agreement with the Japanese government and gets the bridge project off the ground.
“It doesn’t mean the government would construct all the bridges at the same time.
“No, all we’re requesting is for the government to at least build one bridge in a year. Each year they could build one bridge.
“That is all we want,” Mr Sikonu said, adding that it’s about time ABG starts kicking off the reconstruction of bridges on the island.
Mr Sikonu who has been driving for more than 20 years now said it was a sad sight seeing mothers and children sleeping at the river side waiting for flooded rivers to subside.
He said, while PMV owners try their best to serve the public the government of the day must do their bit by making sure those infrastructure such as roads and bridges are up to their standard.
The Arawa/Kokopau section of the highway had become the life-line of mainland Bougainville population after the Bougainville crisis who travelled the highway to the temporary township of Buka to gain access to basic needs and services.
Mr Sikonu, who was supported by other PMV owners, said there was no time to lose and the government must start constructing new bridges for the good of the travelling public.