Engineers encouraged to join effort in quake rebuild

By MARK HAIHUIE
COMPANIES have been urged to allow their professional engineers to provide support for initial reconstructions of vital infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas.
Parohu Engineering managing-director Micah Vines said engineering oversight was essential to relief efforts, to ensure that Government did not waste money in reconstruction.
He said this as part of a presentation to Port Moresby members of the Institute of Engineers PNG at their annual general meeting last week.
Vines led a team of engineers into the affected areas soon after the earthquake struck, surveying the extent of damage to key infrastructure in Hela and Southern Highlands.
He said Department of Works and Implementation in both provinces were understaffed to carry out this role and would require support.
“The earthquake struck on Feb 26 and we were there by Thursday, spending the next three weeks going between areas in both Hela and Southern Highlands,” he said.
“The devastation is widespread and we did our best to take stock of the damage, which we recently presented to both provincial governments to help in their reporting to National Government.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and engineers should be part of the team on the ground to help with their expertise.”
Vines appealed to IEPNG members to consult their employers on the possibility to take leave and be part of the team of engineers in affected areas.