Govt, contractor sign deal on K30mil highway

By LUKE KAMA
IT will cost K30 million to upgrade a 20-kilometre section of the New Britain Highway using new road stabilisation technology, says Works Secretary David Wereh.
The contract documents for the upgrading work estimated at K30,215,605 were signed at Government House in Port Moresby on Thursday by Wereh and Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, and representatives from contractor Garom Limited.
Wereh said road maintenance was an ongoing programme of the Works Department but they were developing a road maintenance strategy which was looking at upgrading roads in order of priority.
“Based on our new road maintenance strategy, 2018 is the start of implementation year and the upgrading and stabilising of New Britain Highway is the first in the country, funded by the national Government.”
Wereh said all roads were important but because of limited resources, some were given priorities over others.
“We are attending to certain roads in order of priorities based on their economic importance to the country in reviving our economy.
“For the New Britain Highway, it will open up the economic corridor for the two provinces of East and West New Britain.”
Wereh said the Government had noted the potential promised by oil palm development and tourism in the two provinces.