Bridge allows smallholders to easily transport oil palm

SMALLHOLDER Oil Palm farmers from Saraklok, outside Kimbe, West New Britain, have a new bridge to allow for easier transportation of their oil palm.
The Bailey bridge which cost K750,000 to build was opened on Saturday by the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (Opic) which funded it in collaboration with the West New Britain government.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon said during the opening that there was money in oil palm and people needed to clean their blocks and increase production to generate an income for themselves and boost the local and national economy.
West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and Talasea MP Francis Maneke thanked Opic for the partnership to deliver services to smallholders.
Simon said funds had been set aside to maintain and build Opic roads.
“This year Government has put K10 million for Opic roads, this is not only for West New Britain alone, but for all Opic project areas in Hoskins, Bialla, Popondetta, Alotau and Kavieng,” he said.
Simon assured farmers and provincial officials that K1 million would be allocated to fixing Saraklok roads.
Mosa local level government president Dacca Wagai said for many years, makeshift timber and log bridges were built several times and were washed away by the river. He said there were many challenges facing smallholders and hoped the new Opic Act would address issues such as application of fertilisers.