Landslips sever road links to Porgera mine

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
THE highlands highway leading to the Porgera gold mine was completely cut off after two sections of the roads in the Enga province were cut since last Monday by a massive landslide due to wet season experienced in the area.
The landowners demanded substantial amount of money from a contractor, Lorma Construction company, now upgrading the road from Wabag to Laiagam before a bypass could be constructed at the side to allow traffic to flow.
An urgent meeting was held between the Works Department and Enga provincial administration yesterday on how best they could deal with the landowner issue.
The two landslides occurred last Monday - one at Kemomal village near Sopas, while the other at Aipanda village near the border of Wabag and Laiagam districts.
According to Porgera media unit officials the landslides occurred on Monday night.
A source said the company was reluctant to pay the landowners saying that it didn’t have the money for such demands.
A staff from Works Department in Wabag said that the Works manager held an urgent meeting with provincial administrator Dr Samson Amean yesterday regarding the road. It is understood Dr Amean went to the disaster area on Tuesday to talk to the villagers.
Trucks transporting goods to Porgera are currently stranded in Wabag town. The landowners from Kemaumale village near Sopas hospital demanded K1 million from the Porgera Joint Venture, provincial government and the local company.

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