Awesa notes key issues for roads

 WORKS Minister Francis Awesa has highlighted two issues that affect road development in the country. 

He made this known to Asian Development Bank officials at a loan agreement signing ceremony in Port Moresby yesterday. 

He said the Government’s desire was to see that loans yielded high returns by focusing on minimising key issues such as variations and maintenance needs which seemed to be prevalent on ADB projects. 

“Variations must be maintained within the set limits always. 

“There are projects incurring major increases in excess of the allowed 15%,” Awesa said.

“Ensure scoping is done properly so that major changes later at the implementation stage are minimised and there must be a balance approach to maintenance and rehabilitation.”

He said much of the focus was on rehabilitation and reconstruction and the lack of maintenance of the roads that were already in good condition resulted in the speedy deterioration.

Polye said the transport sector development including the improvement of existing road transport and civil aviation infrastructure were the Government