Sealing part of highway hailed

 NEW Ireland provincial executive council’s transport and infrastructure chairman James Pandi had commended the sealing of the Kanapit to Pire road.

It is the longest stretch of sealed section of the Boluminski Highway.

Pandi said it was about time the Government fulfilled its commitment signing a 1995 Lihir agreement.

He said the road was one of four major projects ignored over the last 18 years, the others being an international airport for Kavieng, the Namatanai Hospital and an international seaport.

“New Ireland has never demanded anything more than what it is legally entitled to and the O’Neill Government has finally fulfilled those broken promises. 

“Many ancillary projects are still outstanding which are contributing factors to distrust and demand for autonomy, as well as resource ownership push by landowners and the people of New Ireland,” Pandi said.

He said provincial government under the leadership of Sir Julius Chan wanted to see completions of projects under the 1995 Lihir agreement.

 “We have bigger and lasting infrastructure programmes for roads, schools, health facilities and community projects throughout the province,” he said.

Sir Julius praised to the people of East Barok of Namatanai district for their patience and cooperation.

“I am pleased at last that this area, which has always remained loyal and steadfast to my government’s policies and strong PPP supporters, is now reaping the reward of their beliefs. 

“I am equally proud of the peacefulness of the people and I believe they will make their highway the prettiest,” he said.