Highway costing seems unrealistic

 WHAT is the justification for the K20 million per kilometre Lae-Nadzab road, Francis Awesa and David Wereh? 

I have driven on the road a number of times. 

Apart from the less than 10-kilometre stretch that would require reinforcement to stabilise it, I believe the unit cost is not justifiable at all. 

What are they going to build – a superhighway of the next century never before seen in the world?

Come up with standardised costs and the bureaucracy must ensure that these are adhered to. 

We must not let foreign developers and politicians continue to have their way on how the K6 billion loan from China is used. 

Sooner or later, PNG will be left with a huge debt and nothing to show for it. 

While I appreciate the importance of quality roads, I do not want to see the money squandered by a few selfish politicians, bureaucrats and foreign developers at the country’s expense. 

The prime minister was very vocal on the issue of the PNG government having more say on aid grants  from Australia, and recently, under the Manus asylum deal with the Australian government. 

Is it not ironic that he was instrumental in negotiating the K6 billion loan and then gone on to seemingly contradict himself? 

This is a huge loan, not a grant. As such, PNG should have more say on the contractors and the costs rather than bow to unrealistic conditions.

Let us be honest: who are the true beneficiaries here? 

Is it the people of PNG or is it the politicians, bureaucrats, political parties or foreign developers? 

Robert Lutulele

Brisbane, Australia