Wereh explains suspension of engineer

By LUKE KAMA
WORKS and Implementation Secretary David Wereh says the suspension of Momase regional works manager Brian Alois follows normal administrative processes of disciplining public servants.
Wereh said Alois, who is also the president of Institute of Engineers PNG (IEPNG), was a Works’ employee.
He said Alois was suspended for providing “misleading information to the public with respect to unit costs of road construction works” during the recent National Planning Summit in Lae.
“Whilst his presentation was done as the president of IEPNG, he is also an employee of the Works Department.
“He is privy to information on unit costs that we are currently using in the country. This is with respect to the new standards of roads and bridge infrastructure that we currently build, and the costs that are associated with it.”
Wereh said Alois compared unit cost of standards used in the 1990s to what was currently employed in Lae and termed it as “exorbitant”.
“This is untrue and misleading,” he said.
“You cannot compare unit costs of road standards some 20 years ago with that of now, and draw conclusions that the cost now is ‘exorbitant’.