Locals offer free quarry for road

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday July 8th, 2013

 By ANDREW ALPHONSE 

DAULI villagers in Komo-Margarima, Southern Highlands, are offering a free quarry for the construction of the new Dauli to Peli-Yangali road.

The road is to connect with Hambuali village in neighbouring Tari. 

Village chief Talu Halimbu and councillor Pubira Nelara assured Komo-Margarima MP Francis Potape they would provide a free quarry when speaking at the launch of the road project last Tuesday at Dauli village. 

More than 10,000 people would be impacted as they have been without a good road link for many years, the village leaders claimed.

“The road link would serve as an alternate route for the Hulia and Tari-Pori people,” Halimbu said.

Nelara said they had been using hand tools such as spades, bush knives, axes and digging sticks to work on the road for 36 years.

“We are now excited to see excavators, bulldozers, trucks and other machines starting work on the road,” he said. 

“We are proud of the new road project. We are giving up the quarry situated on our land for free and will vigorously support the project and stop all unnecessary compensation payments in order for the project to be completed and delivered.” 

Potape commended the local community for its support and commitment to see the road progressing smoothly and be delivered on time and within budget. 

He said the Government headed by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was adamant on services reaching the small people.

“I will do my part in implementing this policy.” Potape said.

He said the Government also wanted to do away with compensation claims on the Highlands Highway which would hinder progress and development.

The Dauli and Hulia LLG have some notable establishments such as the Angore gas field, Dauli Teachers’ College, Tari Secondary School, Ambua Lodge and the Beneria pipeline for the PNG LNG project.