Heavy rain ruins roads, bridges

CONTINUOUS heavy rain throughout the country is having a major effect on ageing infrastructure, Works Secretary David Wereh says.
He said weather changes were continuing to batter the country’s infrastructure just like it did last year.
Wereh said Porgera gold mine in Enga and Hargy Oil Palm plantation in West New Britain were affected after heavy rainfall caused landslides and flooding.
He said Porgera was now cut off after a landslide at Kairik.
Works’ engineers and officials are negotiating with landowners to allow the blockage to be cleared so that business can resume.
Wereh said according to his officers on the ground in West New Britain, major flooding of the Ivule and Tiauru Rivers had cut off Bialla, affecting the local economy there.
He said the New Britain Highway was always prone to major floods.
Wereh said the recent flooding had destroyed the bridge there.
He said they were working around the clock for immediate restoration work to start.
Wereh said Works’ contractors and Hargy Oil Palm team had already mobilised on site with some equipment to do temporary work.
He said the long-term solution was to construct a permanent new bridge.
“We will do those bridges as an extension to the ongoing works under Jica (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and ADB (Asian Development Bank) programmes that are currently running 14 bridge replacement works on the same road,” he said.
“Japanese engineering firms Dai Nippon and Chodai, based in the province, are already talking to Work’s officials to put together a credible engineering documentation for the permanent bridge works replacement programme.”
Wereh said a contractor had been mobilised to repair the Tapo section of the Ramu Highway that was damaged by rain.
“We admit a lot of the roads and bridges were not designed properly,” he said.
“These infrastructure are outdated and ageing, so cannot withstand the effects of climate change like heavy rain causing high flooding.
“For the way forward, Department of Works, the Government and donor agencies are looking at climate change adaption plans to lift the standard of infrastructure that can withstand intensified weather patterns.”
Wereh said in the last five years, the Government had spent K100 million on emergency responses as a result of climate change-induced destruction to roads and bridges.
He said all Works’ teams and contractors were on standby in anticipation of major disasters that might occur, cutting off the highways.
“However it is important for Government’s support in responsive efforts as the economic cost related to impact of weather-induced disasters are quite big,” Wereh said.
“Adequate funding is important for immediate response efforts as roads and bridges are the lifeline to businesses, the travelling public, tourism and the way of life of the people.”