Villagers collect K5 a bag at flooded section of road
By JAMES APA GUMUNO
A SECTION of the Okuk Highway in the Simbu province was washed away by floods on Saturday afternoon, cutting off the highway and bringing traffic to a standstill.
Heavy rainy caused the Teine creek to flood its banks, leaving a four-metre-wide hole along the highway at Gagmambuno in the Kerowagi district. Vehicles could not cross, forcing commuters from Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Enga and parts of Kerowagi district travelling to Kundiawa town, Eastern Highlands, Lae or Madang provinces to walk across the affected area to continue their journey.
Villagers took advantage of the situation by charging K5 for every bag of cargo they carry across the creek.
Big trucks transporting general cargoes for business houses in Western Highlands, Enga and Southern Highlands provinces were stranded in Goroka and Kundiawa town since Saturday afternoon.
A meeting was held at the site attended by provincial works manager Mark Gunua, provincial police commander Chief Inspector Joseph Tondop and Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl Joe Mek Teine in which villagers presented a K300,000 demand for compensation.
Villagers from Golkane, Baimankane, Mitnankane and Agaiku want the money for the section of the road washed away.
They blamed Covec PNG Ltd for doing little to divert the creek, causing it to flood its banks when it rains. They said this was not the first time that the creek had flooded its banks and destroyed their gardens, houses and other properties located near the road.
Mr Gunua could not respond to the K300,000 demand, and said he would forward the people’s demands to the Works headquarters in Port Moresby.
Mr Mek Teine said about 10 similar disasters had occurred in the past along that section of the road affecting the movement of traffic.
Police mobile squad and highway patrol units have been deployed at the site to ensure locals do not harass the travelling public or steal from them.
Covec had resumed work and are hoping to restore traffic by today or tomorrow.
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