Delay in road work due to new contractor

A CHANGE of contractor responsible for roads in Bougainville has caused the delay in construction, says Minister for Works and Highway Solan Mirisim.
He said the Bougainville government had awarded a contract to another contractor to work on the road from Pitono to Kessa and it affected the work of the initial contractor, responsible for all roads in Bougainville, to continue its work.
Mirisim was responding to questions by North Bougainville’s Francesca Semoso about funding for roads and why roads were yet to be completed.
Mirisim said he had spoken with President Ismael Toroama and they agreed that 5km of road from Pitono to Kessa would be done by the contractor that was awarded the contract by ABG.
“For Kessa road towards Buka would be done by the initial contractor that was awarded the contract by Department of Works and Highway,” he said.
Mirisim said they were re-doing the paper work because of the two different contractors.
He said the Connect PNG programme had identified four roads in Bougainville, including Buka Ring Road.
“Road from Buin to Panguna will be soon out for tender,” the Minister said.