Gordon Ridge settlers to make way for road

SQUATTERS on state land along the Sir Hubert Murray Highway and the Gordon Ridge settlement will be relocated to make way for road construction.
National Capital District Commission (NCDC) city manager Leslie Alu said in a statement yesterday this was necessary to cater for the rapid development the capital city was experiencing.
“Port Moresby city has and is seeing rapid development growth and NCDC, in preparation to meet these demands, has an urban development master plan,” Alu said.
He said the eviction of settlers along the Hubert Murray Highway stage 5 “is one area where the road construction will take place”.
“The need to create alternative road links to ease traffic congestion is necessary at this stage.
“The Hubert Murray Highway stage 5 was designed and documented in 2003.
“This road would have been constructed at that time, however, due to financial constraints, NCDC decided to shelf the project until funds were made available.
“Due to high traffic congestion and lack of better road network, the national government allocated funding for Hubert Murray Highway stages 4 and 5 in its 2010 supplementary budget allocation.
“These major roads need to be upgraded after normal tendering and awarding process were approved,” he said.
Alu said the commission was not in a position to relocate the entire Gordon Ridge settlement but “will do so when all necessary relocation processes are completed”.
“The settlements of Gordon Ridge, 2-Mile Hill, Wanigela and Paga Hill are located on prime land for development and must be relocated when land is acquired and relocation process commences.
“At this stage, the commission wants to upgrade the road to a four-lane road with all necessary accessories such as streetlights and piped drainage systems. 
“The project is funded by the national government in its efforts to improve traffic congestion and increase road networks within this city and people must be appreciative of the efforts of the government to support NCDC,” Alu said.