Delayed funds holds roadwork

By PISAI GUMAR
China Railway International Ltd is still waiting for the release of advance payment to begin the second phase of the Lae-Nadzab four-lane highway after submitting a guarantee to the Government.
The Government also owes the contractor’s PNG branch for the completion of the first phase of the highway from 2-Mile to 9-Mile junction.
CRI Ltd acting general manager Tony Mu revealed this after The National enquired following complaints raised by companies and settlers along the stretch from 10-Mile to Yalu Bridge as well as commuters to and from
Lae, over the worsening road condition.
Earlier, the Department of Works Morobe provincial manager Kingsford Kasen  told The National that since CRI Ltd was awarded the second phase of the project, they were responsible to conduct grading to improve the road surface, water outlets and culverts from 10-Mile-Nadzab Bridge until such time the actual construction began.
Mu said that the second phase construction (10-Mile-Nadzab) was divided into several sections.
He said section 2A from 9-Mile to Yalu Bridge had been awarded to CRI on March 24, 2017.
The contractor has submitted the guarantee to the Government as scheduled and the Government should have released advance payment in early May but has not until now, Mu said.
“The contractor even paid his own to do some grading and build a new culvert at 11 Mile,” MU said.
Mu said that the phase 1 has been completed ahead of schedule and was opened to traffic, an providing efficient service to the public but the Government has to pay the contractor fully for the work.
He was, however, reluctant to disclose the amount owed.