Governor clarifies relocation of bridge

By PISAI GUMAR
MADANG Governor James Gelak Gau has told a group of villagers that engineers wanted to have the Yowor bridge built further upriver.
He was responding to critics who had questioned why the bridge on the Raicoast highway had to be moved further inland.
Raicoast MP Gau met with villagers from Lalok, Bom, Yawal and Bawak communities last Saturday at Bom village.
He said the construction site for the bridge was moved  based on feasibility studies because the current site was “too wide”.
Gau received K10 million from the public infrastructure programme for the project.
He said K3 million was used to engage the S&M Engineering Company from Korea for the feasibility study, and the construction of the bridge.
Four other engineering companies engaged to carry out site surveys also recommended the relocation of the bridge.
Equipment and materials for the construction will be shipped to Bom then transported by road to Yowor.
Villagers at Bom have also claimed compensation for the removal of cash crops especially cocoa and coconut, plus their food gardens from the coast to Sanguma Road at the highway.
Gau said K1 million was set aside to pay for damaged cash crops and food gardens. Officers from the department of primary industry will assess the damage and conduct payments.
The Yowor and Minzen rivers create problems for the villagers during the rainy season.