Youths risk life for money

YOUTHS in Daulo, Eastern Highlands cashed in on fallen power lines at a section of the Highlands Highway between Watabung station and Mangiro Bridge by lifting the lines to allow vehicles to pass and collecting fees from drivers.
A power pole at Mangiro village toppled and threw the high voltage lines across the road at two locations at the weekend.
The youths volunteered and held up the lines using long bamboo poles to allow vehicles through, according to spokesman Joseph Kamane.
“We volunteered to put long bamboo poles to lift the lines high for vehicles to pass through. We are only charging K5 to K10 for every passing vehicle,” Kamane said.
He said they reported the matter to the PNG Power Limited office in Goroka but they have not responded. That prompted the locals to eventually cut off the lines to allow the smooth flow of traffic.
Peter Merimba, a motorist who passed through the affected section on Sunday, said all attention was focused on the election and the national highway was left unattended.
He said there were many roadblocks set up by youths who filled up pot holes and demanded money from motorists. “Highlands Highway remains the main source of economic growth in Papua New Guinea, however the government has failed to do regular maintenance and police the highway,” he said.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced last year that the Asaro to Kerowagi section of the highway would be upgraded at cost of K25 million.