Road reopens after repairs done

By MALUM NALU
THE section of the Mendi-Kandep Road linking Southern Highlands and Enga will reopen this week after the repair of earthquake damage, Chinese contractor COVEC (PNG) Ltd says.
Deputy general manager Wang Fengxiang made the commitment when Works and Implementation Minister Michel Nali, Secretary David Wereh and highway projects director John Kaio visited last week.
“Due to the earthquake, four large-scale landslides and multiple smaller landslides occurred on the Mendi-Kandep Road in Southern Highlands,” he said.
“The earthquake directly affected traffic and seriously hindered relief supplies from entering the disaster area.”
Fengxiang said work on clearing the road began last Tuesday.
“ COVEC has dispatched several machines and equipment to carry out emergency repairs on the collapsed sections at Tura and Winbep,” he said.
“Based on reports from the site engineer, I estimate that the clearance work will be completed in the next few days.
“After completion of the Tura and Winbep sections, COVEC will move to the two other main landslides to ensure the smooth passing of traffic to allow the delivery of relief supplies.”
Fengxiang said COVEC, a subsidiary of China Railway International, had operated in PNG for more than 22 years and had responded to the call by the Chinese Embassy after the earthquake.
“It is time for COVEC to take our social responsibility to provide our full assistance, to the damaged region with the Government emergency repair work programme,” he said.