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| Compo claim prevents highway opening | |
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By ZACHERY PER A COMPENSATION claim and a court case may hinder efforts to start work on re-opening the Okuk Highway, cut off for nine days following a landslide outside Kundiawa. Dumun villagers are claiming K10 million from the Works department before the Government can create an access road from Dumun to Wara Simbu around the disaster area. They said the compensation is outstanding. The claim was made under the Highlands Highway rehabilitation programme for payment of environmental damages and improvements between Wara Tamba and Nintul, a 3.3km stretch for the Kiba-Kapma tribes. Simbu provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop and Simbu provincial Works manager Mark Gunua, in a one-hour meeting at Dumun on Saturday, were told that the villagers wanted the compensation before the access road is built. Spokesman for Dumun landowners John Kola said improvements and environmental damages caused to other sections of the highway were compensated but the damages to the section between Wara Tamba and Nintul were not paid for. Mr Kola said they would never allow their customary land for the access road to be built until the Works department pays them their K10 million claim. The access route would be constructed from Dumun junction and pass through Koge village over Konoma ranges before it reconnects the Okuk Highway at Wara Simbu, a 38km distance. Shorncliffe has already commenced upgrading and gravelling work from Wara Simbu. But the work would not proceed beyond Dumun if the claim was not settled. Meanwhile, an urgent application for a court order to stop any work on the highway was dismissed by acting National Court judge Justice Colin Makail on Friday. The application was made by Gera-Ima landslide committee representative John Kamane. Justice Makail said stopping work on the access road would effectively prevent the flow of goods and services into the interior of the highlands region. |
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