Bridge equipment arrive

The National National
Women from Rekaldi village in Anglimp-South Waghi, Jiwaka, welcoming a semi-trailer loaded with steel bridge parts for the 44m Tuman Bridge on Monday. – Nationalpic by PETER WARI

By PETER WARI
TWO semi-trailers loaded with steel bridge parts arrived at Rekaldi village on Monday for the construction of the 44m long Tuman Bridge in Anglimp-South Waghi, Jiwaka.
Locals gathered at the Tuman River bank to welcome contractor Sweatz Maniat Construction Ltd, MP Joe Kuli and his district development authority (DDA) members for the official launch of the project.
The last bridge constructed in the late 1990s, was destroyed by strong currents.
The river had changed its course several times due to the area’s flat geography making it impossible for vehicles to pass through.
Kuli, who is the vice Works Minister, said the equipment were transported from England and cost nearly K5 million.
“This is second lot of bridge (parts) transported from overseas,” he said.
“The first one was for the 60m Waghi River that connects Kendeng and Mugmamp villages that will be accessed by 6,000 inhabitants.”
Kuli said it was built by contractor Essar Projects PNG at a cost of K8 million.
He said the district had fertile soil and land was used mainly for agricultural activities with coffee being the main cash crop.
“There are several coffee plantations in the district and many farmers own hectares of coffee blocks, but, to sell their produce to buyers has been a struggle.”
Kuli said people used inflated tyre tubes to transport coffee, garden produce, sick patients and store goods.
He said the DDA had prioritised the work of churches, law and order, agriculture and small to medium enterprise activities, health, education, roads and bridges.
He said the bridge construction was part of efforts to improve infrastructure in the area.
Kuli said under his leadership, the DDA would support churches annually with 10 per cent in tithes.
DDA chief executive Joseph Mangro said the authority had made funding available for rural electrification projects and the upgrade of several feeder roads in the Anglimp local level government area such as the Kideng-Rokump and Kindeng-Tun roads.
He said there were several projects launched for the different sectors.