Chinese govt to fund K25mil Usino road

CHINESE Ambassador Qiu Bohua and Madang Governor James Gau officially launched the ground-breaking ceremony of the K25 million Usino Junction to Yamagi road.
Representatives from the Ramu-NiCo management, national and provincial departments of works, Usino members and Deputy Governor Bob Watti witnessed the occasion.  
Bohu said the road project would be funded solely by the Chinese government.
He said according to the socio-economic index of PNG, Usino lacked in developments having been without proper basic infrastructure developments and services.
He said despite that, the country was blessed with natural beauty and resources.
“With the implementation of the project I hope it will provide avenues of access for farmers to transport their produce to markets, schools and health facilities into the area,” he said.
Bohu urged the contractor to build the best quality of road.
He asked Wau to ensure the security of the team during construction phase.
He said the strong bilateral tie between the countries was visible through tangible developments.
These included the St John Guise Stadium, Wawin High School, Eastern Highlands mushroom and rice project, Lae cold storage plant and upgrading of the Upper Jimmy road.
In response, Gau called for the coope­ration of locals so the project went ahead unhindered.
He said any grievances with the pro­ject or any other would have to be dealt with in the correct manner.
“There are press officers in the company who will be able to pass on your grievances to be appropriately addressed,” he said.
Gau thanked the Chinese government on behalf of the people of Madang and Usino-Bundi.
“Without your assistance this project will not have come to be,” he said.
He urged the parent company to include local landowners in the construction phase of the project.
Watti thanked the Chinese government for funding the project and PNG government for recognising the Ramu-NiCo project and its benefits to the people of Usino-Bundi.
He said the establishment of the pro­ject would enable the distribution of ser­­-
vices to all three local level govern­ments,
including Gama, Bundi and Usino.
“Without the recognition of the parent company the Butua road and bridge across the Ramu River would not exist,” he said