Miner, district partners to connect remote communities

THERE is now some hope for the remote Maramuni people of Enga, thanks to the progress of the civil works on the Wabag-Maramuni road.
Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) community relations and engagement (CRE) manager Meck Minnala led a PJV team to see firsthand the progress of road works on Feb 7.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in October, PJV would assist the Wabag district development authority (DDA) with 40 drums of fuel (200 litres each) per month for a six-month period.
Since October, PJV provided a total of 160 drums at an estimated cost of K30,000 per month.
The fuel assistance to Wabag DDA is for machinery being engaged to upgrade and properly establish the Wabag-Maramuni road, as well as constructing and expanding other important roads in the district.
“It’s good to come and see what the team here on the ground is doing, and we are impressed by the great work and professionalism shown by the construction team,” Minnala said.
He added that as a corporate citizen, PJV was assisting the Wabag DDA to ensure that the people of Maramuni were able to have a proper road link.
“It’s about connecting people to people; the people of Maramuni are also part of Enga and so must access basic services as well,” he said.
The PJV team visit was in the company of Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Wabag MP Dr Lino Tom.
According to Dr Tom, about 40 per cent of the work was complete, and the DDA hoped to deliver the project by July.
“We’re very happy that PJV has come in to assist us, as we are also working on six other roads in Wabag and are very much stressed with funding,” he said.
“But PJV came on board and started assisting us with fuel especially for the Maramuni road.”