Morobe admin, contractors blamed for incomplete jobs

THE Morobe provincial administration bureaucracy and private contractors engaged by it are being blamed for not adhering to contract agreements and failing to implement projects funded by the provincial government.
“Politicians can only pass laws and push for project funds but they are not responsible in ensuring the work is carried out effectively after the funds are secured and paid out to the contractors,” provincial works chairman Peter Namus said.
Namus said this to concerns raised by the people of Waria after contractors who were paid by the provincial government failed to carry out work on the Waria to Garaina road.
The Wampar and Waria LLG presidents said K3.8 million was paid in 2010 to Jaka Investment and Andrew Yamandi, but the bureaucracy failed to monitor and ensure that the contractors fulfilled their commitments.
Morobe deputy Governor Morokoi Gaiwata, who presented the cheques to the contractors two years ago, met with his local level councillors and they resolved to terminate the contracts and refer the two contractors to the police fraud squad for investigation.
Namus, who visited the road project site last Saturday, said there were no machinery or workers there.
“That road is vital as it will bring in tea and other cash crops in Lae and contribute more revenue to the province.
“I think it’s better to get foreign contractors instead of locals,” Namus said.
“Once funding is done, our part as politicians, is done and it is up to the bureaucrats and contractors to do their part.
“They fail in the implementation part of things and it’s really frustrating as it makes a bad impression on the leaders who get criticised by the people,” he said.
A new contractor, Gaman Holdings, has been paid by the administration to continue the work.
Attempts to get comments from the provincial administrator Kemasong Tomala were unsuccessful.