K40mil to fix roads in quake-hit provinces

It will cost about K40 million to fix roads damaged by the earthquake in Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela, says Works Secretary David Wereh.
Wereh, pictured, told The National that some feeder roads in the three provinces were badly damaged, including the Highlands Highway.
“After the earthquake, there are number of sections which have been damaged and completely destroyed, resulting in the closing down of the Highlands Highway,” he said.
“Quick inspections and assessments were made and a Cabinet submission was made with an estimate breakup of the costs for immediate restoration works.
“And we have something around K40 million to provide road accessibility.
“That includes the Okuk or Highlands Highway and a number of key roads serving schools and health centres within the epicentre of the earthquake.”
Wereh said contractors were on standby at severely damaged sections and constantly maintaining the roads.
“Responding to maintenance needs in a timely manner can save a lot of costs,” he said.
“If you fail to treat it from the start, it could become a very expensive exercise when it gets worse.
“So the arrangements that we are going into by having contractors engaged on sites in the critical sections are really paying off to ensure road accessibility remains.”
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, speaking on his situation report on the earthquake emergency response, told Parliament last week that total commitments stood at around K50.2 million.