Parkop announces K300 million set for road

THREE-hundred million kina is to be obtained from a bank to fund three four-lane roads in the National Capital District (NCD) linked to Central, NCD Governor Powes Parkop says.
Parkop said the mechanism of the roads was approved by the Government under the connect PNG programme that was launched by Prime Minister James Marape last month.
“The facilities will be used to support other parts of the connection PNG programme in other provinces as well,” he said.
The programme aims to build roads and maintain existing roads that will connect villages that have economic activities to the formal economy.
Parkop said the loan would be obtained from Bank South Pacific to complete the four-road network, including the upgrading of the road at Gerehu Drive.
“The two roads will be four-lane and if funds are sufficient, we intend to complete a two-lane road towards the Goldie River Barracks as well,” he said.
“We will also complete the Gerehu Drive road from Papindo to Nikibata road, with newly-constructed four-lane medium strips with lights and bus bays.”
Parkop assumed that the roads would cost less if the NCDC designed two-lane roads instead of the four lanes would cost far more.
“About K60 million would cost the roadwork from 9-Mile to Laloki Bridge, K100 million from 9-Mile to 17-Mile and K50 to K60 million would cost the Gerehu Drive road, he said.
“For the road from Laloki Bridge to Goldie River Barracks there was no estimated amount but if it would be two-lane, then it would cost below K40 million.”