Road works await govt funding: Chan

National
Source:
The National, Friday July 22nd, 2016

Roads in Namatanai will be improved as soon as the Government releases funding for those commitments, according to local MP Byron Chan.
Chan said Namatanai roads would be the first to be reconstructed with the K200 million.
He said separate funding for the west coast road had been approved under the Solwara 1 Deep Sea Mining project. It is estimated to cost K350 million.
The project is going through its tendering process.
Chan reassured the people of the west coast of Namatanai that funding for the road was endorsed and approved by the national executive council.
“The council has acknowledged that in the past 18 years, the State had not met its obligations under the Lihir memorandum of agreement to build impact infrastructure projects for the people of New Ireland,” Chan said. “Projects approved under the joint district planning and budget priority committee could not be implemented as planned due to funding constraints.
“The national executive council approved payment of over K174 million in lieu of infrastructure projects and the payments should have been verified and funded in the 2015 and 2016 budget respectively.
“A further K30 million was committed by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill during an official visit to Namatanai.”
Chan said money earmarked for the road projects was still with the Department of Treasury. The other road projects in the electorate that have been identified for maintenance and construction include the Palabong to Nasko road, Lihir Wards 11 and 12 town roads and Punam to Huris roads.

error: Content is protected !!