MP earmarks K2 million for road upgrade

MENDI MP Pr Isaac Joseph has allocated K2 million from his electoral development grant in counterpart funding for Asian Development Bank-funded (ADB) roads in his electorate.
The roads to be upgraded are the Mendi-Karinz and Upper Mendi-Tambul roads, Pr Joseph announced in Mendi, saying this was the only way for the people in the rural areas of Upper Mendi and Karinz to participate in development.
He said scoping and design phase was in progress and tender should go out by early next year before the project could start.
Pr Joseph said he was elected to deliver such basic services and not to entertain individuals or attend to personal matters.
“No-one should be seen following me around because I do not carry cash to hand out to people and I don’t have cash on me,” he said.
Simon Keya, an ADB representative, assured the people of Upper Mendi and Tambul that their roads had been funded under the ADB loan facility.
He said such big projects only come to areas where their elected leaders demonstrate their interest through counterpart funds.
Mr Keya said the PNG Government mets 30% of the total funding for such roads and the ADB meets the balance cent as a longterm loan arrangement.