Road work pollution under fire

 VILLAGERS living along the Tsak road in Wapenamanda, Enga, are suffering from excessive dust caused by the road upgrading work, a local leader claims.

Francis Tanga of the Miok tribe, said the people were suffering from lung infections and coughing as a result of breathing the dusty air.

He said the contractor was not conscious of the people’s health and was not using water trucks to stop the dust since the upgrading work began more than a month ago.

Tanga said Wapenamanda MP and Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato, accompanied by Works Secretary David Wereh inspected the road works yesterday.

“I call on the Works Secretary to review this road project because the contractor is negligent and not health conscious as it is not complying with the conditions and obligations of the contract,” Tanga said.

“Our people are not complaining about the road project. We are very happy with this development but since the project began more than a month ago, the excessive dust caused by the road work has become a health hazard for our people living along the road.”

Tanga said the Miok leaders met with Provincial Police Commander George Kakas last weekend and discussed their concerns.

The K12 million road upgrading is from Wabag junction to Tsak valley carried out by  K-Star contractor.