K4mil to finish Wewak stadium

By GYNNIE KERO
MORE than K4 million is needed to complete the second phase of the Sir Michael Somare Stadium in Wewak, East Sepik.
Coordinator Anton Sakarai said during a small ceremony to the mark the stadium’s second anniversary last Thursday.
He said work was already underway with the clearing of trees to create space for fencing and an inclusion of the 400m athletics track.
He also said they were operating on a six-month schedule starting in early January but due to funding woes and change in weather the project was expected to end at a later date.
Sakarai said more tasks were needed to be carried out on the stadium’s drainage and sewage systems to ensure safety issues for the facility and its users.
Stone pitch drains would be replaced with concrete-wall drains to avoid overflowing of water into the stadium during heavy rain.
He said the septic trench was of international standard where wastes had to go to the main plant.
The committee also has plans to establish a natural filter system so there are no chances of pollution to water sources.
Sakarai said there was pressure from people on the use of the public utility.
He said the management concept also covered other areas such as insurance, security, disposal, food safety and environment rehabilitation.
“The facility and services needed to be improved to standard before it can be used. Safety is important. We have to ensure users do not get in any accidents,” he said.
Sakarai said a swimming pool at Moem barracks was an additional project and maintenance work would be carried out when funding was available.
He called on the media to be fair in reporting on issues in the province and asked that information was checked with sources to avoid destabilising peace among individuals or colleagues.