Grieving father wants roads, bridges

By ARMSTRONG SAIYAMA
DWU journalism student
A GRIEVING father, who lost his son during the floods in Finschhafen, Morobe, last week, has urged the government to build bridges and roads in the Burum-Kuat area to avoid further tragedies.
“I’m grieving for my son Pats Keringsia, who lost his life trying to cross the flooded Buem River last Thursday,” Andrew Siawon of Ubaneng village said yesterday.
“My son and his  brothers, Iva Esting and Bonni Kering, were trying to cross the river when he was swept away. It was at 3pm, and after five minutes his body was found down the river.”
The villager said his son was a Grade 8 student of Lanakapi Primary School.
“I’m really worried about the loss of my son, and I’m very angry and frustrated with the government for not building bridges and roads in linking up villages in my area.
“My child is my future, and now my future had passed away. He was my investment.”
Siawon blasted the government’s failure to build vital bridges and roads in linking up the mountainous Burum-Kuat communities.
He said six people, including his son, died while crossing flooded rivers.
“Last year, a pregnant woman from Dubi died while trying to cross the flooded river.”
Siawon said that better roads and bridges would also boost agricultural development in the area, especially in organic coffee and fresh fruits.
 and vegetables.