Madang’s top cop calls for care on highway

By GLORIA BAUAI
MADANG police commander Robert Baim says commuters travelling on the highway between Lae and Madang must exercise caution because of the road condition.
Baim said at least two bridges along the Ramu/Madang highway had been damaged by floodwaters.
Temporary wet-crossing bypasses have been built by Works Department, with security monitored by the Ramu and Walium police.
“Generally, the situation is quiet with frequent police patrol. However, police won’t be there all the time so people must be cautious when approaching these locations,” he said.
Madang police inspector Edward Alphones said the Yuria Bridge at Dumpu collapsed on Wednesday, March 13.
The Aumia Bridge near Asas collapsed on Monday, March 18 when a big vehicle was crossing it.
“Locals were stopping vehicles from crossing from 11pm to 1am on Monday when the bridge collapsed,” he said.
He said that some police officers were stranded on one side of the bridge when opportunists looted vehicles on the other side.
“We advise heavy and low-base vehicles like container trucks and PMVs not to travel during this time. Only light-goods vehicles that can maneuver this temporary bypass,” he said.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Northern, Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban urged locals to assist in the flow of traffic.
“Locals should not extort money or abuse the commuters as they pass through,” he said.
Meanwhile, PMV buses going from Lae to Madang stopped at one side of the road while passengers’ transited through wet crossing with their cargoes to board the Madang bus on the other side.
Passengers travelling from Madang to Lae also do the same.