Bridges washed away

THE people of West New Britain have once again been hit by a natural disaster.
Heavy rain has caused floods and damaged bridges in Bialla, cutting the link to Kimbe and affecting businesses and travel in the province.
Businesses in the Bialla area were expected to lose hundreds of thousands of kina on a daily basis as one Bailey bridge was washed away and another two had been badly damaged after the province, and particularly the northeast areas, experienced 10 hours of heavy rain on Thursday.
Former Governor and Minister for State-Owned Enterprises Sasindran Muthuvel said the province had already experienced a volcanic eruption and the latest natural disaster would put further strain on their resources.
Muthuvel said, according to estimated cost, the rebuilding of the bridges would cost the Department of Works more than K10 million as the Giriti Bridge has been completely washed away and two major bridges had also been affected.
He said about six metres of the Luvi Bridge on the Bialla side of the highway was washed away while the Ubai Bridge was also affected as it was still submerged in the flood.
Muthuvel said other bridges near Bialla, including the ones at Tiauru and Ivule, were at risk if rain continued.
“WNB is a disaster prone province and this is not the first time; therefore we need permanent bridges built,” he said.
“This is an important economical road and the loss will be heavy as this is the only road used by oil tankers, logging trucks and trucks with store goods to Bialla.
“The loss is expected to be more than K5 million per day,” he said.
Muthuvel said the three affected bridges were all Bailey bridges and would need permanent bridges to avoid future damages.
He said water level was still high and restoration work could only commence only after water level receded.
“I appeal to the Treasurer to please release the first K5 million pledged by the prime minister so we can start to rebuild the province after the two disasters.”