Funding constraints delay roadwork: Wereh

By LUKE KAMA
WORKS secretary David Wereh has blamed the delay in completing the second phase of Lae-Nadzab road in Morobe on funding constraint.
Wereh was providing an update on the progress of the road project from the Lae-Bulolo Junction at 9-Mile to Yalu Bridge towards the airport.
The 45-kilometre reconstruction work which started in 2014 is expected to cost the Government about K500 million. The first phase of the road from Boundary Road to the Lae-Bulolo Junction was completed in 2016 by the China Railway International which installed street lights, built drains, crossings, road signs, bus stops, and tar-sealed the road.
“The construction of the Lae-Nadzab road is part of our greater road network improvement plan in the country for the long term,” Wereh said.
“The first phase was completed but the second phase was delayed due to funding constraints.
“We are trying to deliver this important project when our country is facing a very difficult time in terms of finance.
“We are managing those issues with the contractors at the moment.”
He stressed that the Lae-Nadzab road was an important project to complement the developments already taking place in Lae and new ones coming up. “We have the Nadzab Airport redevelopment coming up and the Highlands Highway rehabilitation project which will start from where the Lae-Nadzab road ends. So it’s an important road that will have to be delivered when the funding is made available by the Government,” Wereh said.
According to a public investment programme report, phase one was completed at a cost of K235 million.