Locals applaud K485mil highway

By JEFFREY ELAPA
MORE than 60,000 people from two highlands pro­vinces have thanked the government and the Asian Development Bank for a major highway that will finally connect the two provinces.
The people called from the remote villages to express their gratitude after the National Executive Council approved the K485 million Mendi-Kandep highway last month.
The road project will be launched in Mendi on Monday by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Minister for Works Francis Awesa and other members of parliament.
Councillors Sokel Imom and Pombrel Solu from Marara and Sol village said after more than 40 years, the government had seen the wish of the people to open up the area.
They thanked the MP for Mendi, Pastor Isaac Joseph, for making available K2 million as counterpart funding for the road project that will serve not only the two districts, but Hela and Laigam-Porgera as well.
“Life has been very difficult and it is God’s intervention. Now the people will be liberated from their enclosed environment and sufferings,” they said.
He said it was an era of change for the people and they were proud of it.

They urged the government to start work on the road immediately.
Awesa said the road would be a vital link and an alternate route connecting Enga, Hela and SHP, and link the Gulf–Southern Highlands highway.