Gumine villagers enjoy upgraded roads

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Wednesday, December 1, 2010

DETERIORATING rural road infrastructure in Gumine, Chimbu, have been upgraded to allow for easy flow of traffic and people’s movement and access to vital government services, Gumine Works Unit spokesman Robert Bartho said in Kundiawa yesterday.
He said since the unit was established, and with the assistance of local MP and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Lucas Dekena, the earthmoving machinery acquired had improved and opened up the road network throughout the district.
“Our earthmoving machines and equipment have performed wonders in Gumine where the people are now travelling on decent roads,” Bartho said.
He was responding to recent media reports questioning the unit and where the money, earned from the hiring of the equipment, was spent.
“When one of our machines is engaged outside of Gumine, the little money generated is used to pay operators, fuel and parts to continue upgrading the already rundown roads in Gumine district.
“The Gumine Works Units is an entity established to upgrade the once-deteriorated rural road infrastructure and allow Gumine people easy access to markets, shopping centres and health, education and other vital government services,” Bartho added.
He said the unit was not established to make profits as was the assumption made in the media.
He also invited critics to physically travel to Gumine on PMV buses to really appreciate the differences the unit had accomplished in the lives of the rural people.
“The unit will still be here to serve the rural population of Gumine,” Bartho said.