Conn slams chaos on roads

THE Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce has taken authorities to task over another day of traffic chaos in the city between the Erima and 6-Mile areas.
The normally-congested area was chaotic when a contractor ripped up both sides of the road and the two roundabouts leading to the Jackson International Airport.
An irate David Conn, chamber’s chief executive officer, said the contractor and the authorities concerned needed to get their act together.
“How much more of this do our businesses have to cop?
“Ripping up perfectly good roads between the two roundabouts leading to our international airport defies logic, and must be salt in the wound to the city businesses and residents who tolerate appalling road conditions in their areas.
“Why lift both lanes at the same time? Why not fix one, and then move over to the other side?
“Why not do the work under lights as was done for the royal visit? Just appalling planning and lack of foresight.”
Conn blamed the Department of Works and Shorncliffe (contractor) for the “total chaos in the city” yesterday.
“There were no notices in the papers, no radio messages, nothing!
“They just proceeded to close down a major road artery with no consideration for city residents or travellers trying to access the airport.
“This is just appalling disregard for the public and a total lack of consideration on the public relations front by Shorncliffe.
“City authorities need to make them get their act together!
“Even blind Freddy could see there was a problem. At one stage, traffic was solid from the airport back to Ela Murray School.
“Yet, there was hardly a policeman in sight.”
Conn said only a call to senior police officer Chief Supt Andy Bawa late in the afternoon eli­cited a positive response to have police at all major choke points.