Call on dept to talk to locals on bypass

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

LANDOWNERS of a section of the Highlands Highway where a major soil erosion occurred want the government to have dialogue with them to build a by-pass. 

Kassam Pass landowners in Eastern Highlands made the call yesterday after realising that officers from the Department of Works (DoW)had visited the affected site on numerous occasions but not consulted them. 

The affected portion of land known as Wayuanaki Point is owned by the Yankuro clan of the Obura-Wonenara district, in Eastern Highlands.

Spokesman John Tosapi said they had land and were willing to give it to the state to build an alternative road but a proper dialogue needed to be established first.

“The DoW officers have been surveying the place and taking pictures recently,” Tosapi said.

“We will be happy if they get our views and that of the travelling public on the road.

“Vehicles are using just part of the road and it won’t be long before a major disaster happens there.”