Enga highway re-opened

THE blocked portion of Enga highway between Wabag and Laiagam has opened to allow traffic to flow as K3 million for the land compensation payment was released by the National Works Department’s headquarter.
The Works Department, Enga provincial government (EPG) authorities and leaders had an urgent meeting at the weekend with the concerned landowners and agreed for the road to open on the condition that payment would be made starting this week.
The highway was closed last Thursday after landowners of nine council wards at Upper Lai constituency, Wabag district were dissatisfied over claims of K3.6 million for the land compensation on their properties such as food gardens, trees and trade stores which were destroyed by a contractor for the 10km Wabag to Waraumanda road upgrading and sealing.
Provincial Works manager David Wereh told The National from Wabag yesterday the highway had already opened on Monday and traffic was back to normal.
Mr Wereh said the Wabag Works Department road workers had cleared the debris and filled the drains with culverts last Sunday afternoon.
Mr Wereh said: “The National Works Department and Government have talked to villagers that we are able to secure K3 million for the payment. The money is already in the province.”
He said since there were a lot of claims for the payment, he urged angry landowners to have patience.
“It’s a big bulk payment so it would take two to three weeks and I want people to be patient,” Mr Wereh said.
He said the delay in payment was not deliberately done.

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