Devastated Tari getting services back online

By MALUM NALU
SERVICES are slowly but surely being restored in Tari, says Hela provincial administrator William Bando.
The town was devastated by the earthquake which saw houses destroyed and damaged, roads damaged and power supply cut.
Bando told The National yesterday that life was returning to normal for Tari residents.
“The airport is reopened and Air Niugini resumed flights last Friday,” he said.
“Most services have been restored and power is being worked on. Communications services have been restored. The bank reopened last Monday. The road between Mendi and Tari has been reopened.”
Tari is also the centre for the distribution of relief supplies to rural areas in Hela.
“Many worst-affected areas have been reached with medical supplies, both from Moro via Oil Search Ltd, and from Tari through the Hela Council of Churches,” Bando said.
“This is being done with the support of 45 men from the defence force, Correctional Services and police.”
Bando said Oil Search was reaching areas where there was no road access.
“Nine container loads of supplies arrived from Mt Hagen last Saturday and are now being distributed throughout the province.”
Bando, however, could not confirm the number of deaths caused by the earthquake, saying it was still being worked on.