Chimbu road work runs short of funds

A ROAD construction company working on an access road between Keu and Karaweri in East-West Elimbari, Chimbu, has run short of funding.
It wants more funding from the government to complete the road.
JKB Construction ma­naging director Nime Ause said this following a K6 million commitment by the National Planning and Monitoring Department last year.
But an initial K3 million earmarked for the road was diverted to the Chuave-Movi road and that has angered Ause.
He said the money was committed by Works Mi­-
nister Francis Awesa and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when they were in Chuave last month to open the Chuave Rural Hospital should have been given for the Keu-Karaweri road.
Meanwhile, some 20,000 people of East-West Elimbari area who have been neglected of good roads for many years, embraced JKB Construction for upgrading their road from Gogo to Karaweri High School.
The people said they had been cut off because the Keu-Karaweri road had not had routine maintenance.
During a reception at Karaweri Primary School over Easter weekend, the people welcomed JKB Construction and called on Chuave MP Jim Nomane to divert the K3 million to Keu-Karaweri road.
Kirino Community spokes­man, Yufugao Kia­-
­ge said they never though a company like JKB Construction would come
one day to upgrade their road.
“JKB Construction is our saviour, it has come to rescue us, I thank you for realising our plight all these years,” Kiage said.
Speaking for the Kibi community of Karaweri, Bandi Barex said they had a large population living in the area but had been deprived of good road access.
“I call on the national and provincial government to back the contractor,” Barex said.
Elizabeth Akepa, who
spoke on behalf of wo­men, thanked the company for the road and described it as “wiping tears” for women and children.