Restoration authority eyed for rebuilding after earthquake

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE National Disaster State of Emergency led by Dr Bill Hamblin has ended, and an authority will be established to carry out restoration work and make recommendations in affected areas.
Emergency Controller Dr Hamblin said in an interview earlier that its period ended at the end of last month and the Government would establish a restoration authority for rebuilding.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said he would table a report and present a statement in Parliament this week for the creation and establishment of a Western, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela Restoration Authority.
Dr Hamblin said that as emergency controller, he was responsible for overseeing relief supplies and restoration of services in the affected provinces as stipulated in the Emergency (General Powers) Act of 2018, which related to the delivery of relief to the suffering and minimisation of damage after February’s earthquake.
As such, he said, his primary function was to provide food, shelter, medical attention and safe drinking water for affected communities.
In addition, and by extension, the emergency controller assisted in community recovery by laying the groundwork for future restoration activities in terms of the rebuilding of economic and social infrastructural services in the affected areas in Western, Enga, Southern Highlands, and Hela.
Dr Hamblin said towards the end of last month, a total of K67 million was spent out of a fund of K124 million.