Sealing ‘to continue’

 By GABRIEL FITO

THE sealing of the country’s only international highway from East Sepik to Jayapura in Indonesia will continue, according to Wewak MP Jim Simatab.

Simatab said the upgrading and sealing of the highway which started from Hawain to Boikin on the west coast of Wewak would continue to Hogi this year.

The work is being funded by the Australian Government through AusAID.

It will continue annually until the road reaches Salamin on the border of East and West Sepik.

Green Hill Investment Ltd, with support from Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch, has commenced sealing the 17km of road from Salamin to Damap River towards Aitape, in West Sepik.

Simatab is talking to the Government about replacing the old one-lane bridge across Hawain River, west of Wewak.

“I have discussed with the National Executive Committee to replace this old bridge with a new two-lane bridge to cater for the inflow of traffic from Indonesia and vice versa.

“It is important that we fix this road because it is not only a national highway but an international highway,” Simatab said.

He said once the road was completed, other services such as rural electrification and water supply would follow to raise people’s standard of living.