K106mil spent on quake relief efforts, says officer

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By Rebecca Kuku
MORE than K106 million have been spent so far in the efforts to provide relief and recovery for the provinces affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Disaster and Emergency Controller Dr Bill Hamblin.
He told The National that they had completed the relief and recovery phases and would start with the restoration phase once they received funding for this year.
“At that time, the NEC (National executive Council) approved a budget of K300mil for four years to provide relief, recovery and restoration for the provinces affected,” Hamblin said. “So that’s, K75mil per year. However, for the first year, the Government gave us more than what was allocated as the damages were extensive.
“The Government gave us K90mil and we also received K16.4mil in cash from donors.”
Hamblin said that K106.4mil was then used for the relief and recovery phase.
“K8.4mil was spent on food and water, K7.4mil was spent for water treatment, testing and providing water tanks.”
“K12.5mil was used for security, accommodation and allowances, security was a necessity at that time as all airports were closed and food, water, medicine and other essential stuff had to be transported by road, there was also an increase in criminal activities.”
Hamblin said K7.4mil was spent on choppers, K2.1mil on transport and K1.3mil on sea transport to transport relief items to ports in Lae, Gulf and Western.
“K32.5mil was spent on road-works to clear roads and make them accessible.
“K3.6mil on health and K1.4mil on essential vaccines along with two x-ray machines for Tari and Mendi hospitals.”
Hamblin said five vehicles each were purchased for police in Hela and Southern Highlands.
“Five were purchased for the PNGDF and one was purchased for the magistrate in Hela and another one was purchased for the CIS commander in Hela.”
“Moving on to restoration, our first priority is to get the public service in both provinces operational and hence we have organised for two buildings donated by Exxon to be delivered to the Highlands and reassembled in Mendi and Tari,” Hamblin said.
“These buildings will be fitted out for use as temporary public service administration buildings.
“This year we are expecting funds well in excess of K75 million to kick-start restoration activities.”