120 tonnes delivered: O’Neill

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By GYNNIE KERO
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says 120 tonnes of food, water and medicine have already been transported to the earthquake-affected areas.
He told the FM100 talkback show in Port Moresby on Friday that the earthquake affected “quite a large area” covering the Highlands region, Western, parts of Gulf, and the Sepik provinces.
“Emergency restoration effort is being carried out because of the urgency (by the Government) in bringing in food, water and medicine to the affected communities particularly in Hela and Southern Highlands,” he said.
“Over 100 people died. Many more are missing. That number is expected to rise. Many communities are torn apart and displaced. Relief efforts are ongoing.
“In terms of the Restoration Authority, the Attorney-General has drafted the Act. Once it’s been cleared by the legislative counsel, I will call for an immediate session of parliament.
“I have to give a seven-day notice (to the Speaker). As soon as a clearance is given, we will introduce the Act to Parliament.”
He said most of the landslips blocking the highway between Mt Hagen and Tari had been cleared.
“Light trucks have started moving. Heavier trucks are starting to move in Tari and Hela province, meaning that we can now take in relief supplies in containers,” he said.
He said in the past few days, “we have been able to transport almost 120 tonnes of food, water and medicine to Moro, which are then distributed to all the villages in the affected areas.
“In terms of the roads, we have cleared all the roads from Kikori (Gulf), all the way up to what we call the pipeline road that is Kutubu (Southern Highlands).” He said the authorities were trying to restore all the services “the best we can”.
“The ongoing aftershocks are continuing to produce landslips even after we have cleared them,” he said.
“So we have contractors permanently based in each section of the highway. Their job is to continuously clear the highway, day and night so that traffic and movement of people and especially movement of relief supplies is our priority.”