New year, new road projects set for Gulf

Gulf government on New Year’s day launched its roads rehabilitation and construction programme with the launch of Apanaipi-Iokea-Mavaru Road project.
Governor Chris Haiveta announced the launching of construction work in the presence of East Kerema LLG president Chris Soi Oasora, managing director of contractor NC Civil Works Mick Constantinou.
Haiveta said the road project was long overdue.
“The road will serve over 10,000 people and provide them access to services and markets,” he said.
“It also has potential for large-scale economic activities like cattle ranching, tapioca farming, marine resources and ecotourism that are now being proposed.
“Exploration and seismic activities are continuing in this area.
“Structures with high hydro-carbon potential have been identified over the area that the road is traversing. I consider all roads to be important, this one especially.”
Haiveta said the area on both sides of the Gulf-Central border ranked equal in hydro-carbon potential to the Kimu, Barikewa and Gobe areas in West Kikori, East Kikori and Baimuru.
“The launching of Iokea Road project is the beginning of more road projects in the province,” he said.
“Provincial roads for rehabilitation and construction are Kerema Town, Murua, Silo, Mora’a, Pukari, Koaru Fose (Kaipi Coastal Road), Titikaini, Tapala, Ilavilla-Lalapipi, Uripi Reclaimation project, Lese Coastal, Karahure, and Kotidanga-Kanabea-Kaintiba in the Kerema electorate.”