Naru: I saw cracks but engineer downplayed them

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru says he sighted “cracks on the concrete” foundation of the new Lae wharf extension last year and told a government engineer who downplayed the matter.

Naru said this in response to the front page story in The National on Friday that quoted a technical report about major structural defects found in the K809 million Lae Port Basin Phase 1 project, which was carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company. 

It was officially opened by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in December 2014.  

“Myself, the deputy governor (Judas Nalau) and the Lae mayor (Koim Trilu Leahy) saw cracks on the concrete foundation of the wharf during a visit in November last year,” Naru said.

“I told the IPBC (now Kumul Consolidated Holdings) engineer who was with us about the cracks but he downplayed it saying it was a normal wear and tear.

“But I keep wondering how a sound structure that underwent superior engineering work would have cracks like these.

“Your front page today (Friday) has confirmed my suspicion that there was indeed engineering and structural defect at the new wharf.”

Naru said the new Lae wharf extension was a landmark infrastructure and should not be left to deteriorate.

“The K809 million used to construct the first phase is a lot of money and was financed through a loan that needs to be repaid by the people of this country.”

He said if the contract for the wharf construction had an “effects liability clause” then the contractor must bear the blame and re-correct the defects through its own funding.

“The Lae port development is a significant and magnificent piece of infrastructure which added a scenic beauty to the shorelines of Lae City,” Naru said.

“It is really unfortunate that defects have occurred.”

Naru said the project stakeholders must cooperate and ensure that the defects were verified and repaired.

“This port must be actually making money for the state. It can’t be sitting idle like this.”

“It has to work to repay the state and people of PNG the money spent on it,” Naru said.

As of yesterday, the state-owned Kumul Consolidated Holdings had still not responded to The National’s email queries and story.