Queries on road plans, studies

 GEO-tech studies, necessary to ensure materials and road designs meet standards, have not been undertaken on an important highway in the highlands, a Member told Parliament yesterday.

Lagaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape claimed these studies were not undertaken on the Highlands Highway which connects his district in Enga to Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.

Responding to the query, Minister for Works and Implementation Francis Awesa said he is not sure if a geo-tech study was taken on materials used to reseal that part of the highway. 

Awesa admitted that he had no knowledge if any geo-tech survey was ever done on the materials and road which connects Lagaip-Porgera district to Mt Hagen, a very important process before contracting and construction. 

“I am not aware or have no information of whether geo-tech engineers did a study on the resealing of the Lagaip-Porgera road. 

“This is a very important function of any major infrastructure project carried out in the country. 

“And I want to assure the House and Honorable MP for Lagaip-Porgera that we will look into this and I will get back to you at a later date,” he said. 

According to Lagaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape there were no geo-tech engineers at the site except for the Chinese contractor. 

He said the Government must be sure that such exercises were effectively carried out to prevent more money spent on infrastructure work.