PNGDF engineers engaged in Kabwum road building

DEFENCE Minister Bob Dadae and Kabwum MP yesterday delivered a cheque for almost K100,000 from the district’s treasury office to the PNG Defence Force Engineering Battalion.
The money will be used to start feasibility studies for construction of a road from Lae to Kabwum.
The K99,776.16, was from a total of K200,000 given to the district by the Morobe provincial government.
Governor Luther Wenge said at the handover that “it would be a dream come true” for the people of Kabwum to finally have a road link with Lae.
He said the road would improve business through transportation, for the people, who have become renowned for producing high quality coffee beans.
The Lae to Kabwum road is included in the 15-year government policy plan to construct roads to all districts in Morobe.
Mr Dadae decided to engage the Defence Force  to carry out the task because he said he was confident they would produce the required results.
Battalion commander Lt Col Mark Keru, upon receiving the cheque was thankful that the Government had recognised the capabilities of one of its entities – a recognition “that was long overdue”.
Col Keru assured Mr Dadae that the feasibility studies would be completed by the end of next month. 
An allocation of K1 million had been earmarked for the initial work in next year’s budget.
The total cost of the road work is estimated to be in excess of K97 million to construct roads from Lae to Finschhafen and Kabwum.
A submission is now before the National Planning Office, said provincial administrator Kemas Tomala.
Mr Tomala said 32 other project proposals for improved service delivery had also been submitted.
These proposals would amount to a total of K396 million.