Govt plans to build wharf

THE Government plans to build a wharf on the Sepik River to connect East Sepik to Madang, Works Minister Michael Nali says.
Nali, in response to questions by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird on Angoram Highway, said although there were no funds allocated to that section of the road, there were plans for the wharf facility that would connect the two provinces.
“The Government wants to build a wharf facility at Angoram on the Sepik River,” he said.
“Because for us to build a road from Madang to the Sepik Plains is difficult.
“So when we have opportunity or privilege to use water, we can build wharf and from there, connect the road network to the Wewak, coastal Sepik Highway to West Papua.”
Nali said the contract on the Hawain Bridge on the West Coast was awarded, but the funding of K19 million was still to be identified.
“It is an important bridge, but it is a sad story,” he said.
“We have given them possession of site and the contractor is ready to go and start the project any time.
“When the Finance Department closed down all the trust accounts, it also shut down the Works Department’s trust account that holds the funds for the major projects in the country.
“When we came to close of accounts, we wrote a cheque and gave it to the Finance Department close to about K19mil,” Nali said.