Landslide halts services

A LANDSLIDE at Imbonggu’s Asasa village in Southern Highlands uprooted power poles causing a blackout, cutting off the road and forcing drivers to take the Mendi-Tambul Road on Thursday.
The landslide was triggered by heavy rain causing drivers to be stranded on either side (mostly semi-trailers) of the road, while travellers were forced to pay extra for PMV fares.
A few kilometres away from Asasa, a section of the road at Buiebi in the same district was washed away, creating a huge ditch.
On Monday the remaining section was eroded, forcing locals to create a bypass and charge fees for every passing vehicle.
Provincial deputy administrator Fiebik Kilip told The National that several attempts to clear the debris by the Works Department were halted by landowners from Buiebi and Asasa villages who demanded compensation payments.
He said the Asian Development Bank funded the Mendi-Tambul subsidiary loop road which was very narrow with many bends and was impossible for heavy vehicles to pass through.
“The demand has delayed the movement of heavy vehicles to the PNG LNG project sites in Hela,” Kilip said.
“This is a call to all leaders within the site to come to an understanding and allow the clearance.
“School holiday is approaching and students need to unite with their families to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.
“We are negotiating with the landowners to allow for the clearing of the debris,” Kilip said.
Yambra ward councillor Jato Pumbu, who lived near the damaged section of the road and village, told The National that for the Buiebi disaster, it was the ignorance and negligence of the provincial Works Department to repair the damaged section since May.
“Everywhere, locals like to take advantage of such disasters to claim compensation or ask for money from drivers and the Works Department must take responsibility as soon as roads and bridges are damaged,” he added.
Construct Oceanic Ltd managing director Sape Molumi said the company was working to restore the damaged road.