Forget compensation, help build bridge: Police

SOUTHERN Highlands police commander Chief Supt Joseph Tondop is calling on Ekai villagers in the Imbonggu district to help provincial Works restore a bridge that collapsed few weeks ago.
He told villagers on Friday to cooperate with Works manager Tuvulo Tokeneke and not be confused by misleading demands from certain individuals.
Tondop said Ekai villagers should understand the importance of the Elge Bridge that was providing access to the people of the eastern end.
“The law will deal with those who try to stop work on the restoration. They should take ownership of the Elge Bridge project that will benefit the people of the province,” he said.
Tondop travelled with Tokeneke on Friday to resolve demands from Ekai tribesmen. They met with the people of Ekai tribe from Maral village in Imbonggu.
“The reason for the meeting was to address payment demands by the villagers for the collapsed bridge and recommence work on the bridge,” he told The National.
Ekai tribesmen wrote a letter to the provincial Works Department demanding compensation from the national government for three reasons.
They demanded a payment of K170,000 which included access road on customary land, destruction to the environment when the bridge collapsed and the damage to the bridge caused by a company vehicle.