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By JASON SOM KAUT
HALF of the K50 million promised by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to
fix Lae roads is expected to be made available this month in the
Government’s supplementary budget.
The release will see repair work begin on the deteriorating roads of the
country’s second largest city and industrial hub of Lae.
Morobe Governor Luther Wenge said yesterday that the Prime Minister
would allocate K25 million in the supplementary budget set to be
announced on Sept 18.
The release will see Sir Michael’s K50 million election promise to fix
up Lae roads come partly true. The balance of K25 million is likely to
be included in the handover budget for next year.
Mr Wenge said the Government had just been returned and he was
“confident that they will deliver”.
“I appreciate the business community’s concerns and offer to help in
quickly fixing up Lae roads but let’s have confidence in the Government
... I don’t think the roads are as bad as they were in 1997.”
Mr Wenge was responding to a report on the roads in The National last
Thursday.
Concerns were raised by a trucking and industrial firm on the effect of
the poor road condition on their costs of service and maintenance.
The report cited Lae Chamber of Commerce president Allan McLay raising
concerns that if the situation was not seriously addressed, its
continuation would leave business houses no choice but to pass on the
high maintenance costs to customers.
Lae roads have been a nagging problem due to the city’s high year-round
rainfall, neglect and most parts of the city being water-logged.
Mr Wenge said the cost of road repairs should not be passed onto the
public because the people had a low income base and were already
over-taxed without seeing any increase in their pay.
 
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