Wharf defects raises concern

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

THE Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the new Lae wharf was expected to have been built to international standards, thus would not have experienced problems.

Chamber president Alan McLay was commenting on a front page article in The National last Friday regarding the structural and engineering defects discovered at the K809 million wharf. 

McLay said he was surprised to read that the wharf had defects which had delayed its use. He said contractor China Habour Engineering Company was an international company selected through a stringent tender process to do the job, and the chamber had high hopes of the work carried out and the impact it would have on local businesses.

“I understand that a Korean engineering company was chosen to oversee the engineering work,” McLay said.

“We would have thought that the entire project would meet international standards. It is unfortunate that defects have been found. We know that the facility is an important new piece of infrastructure in Lae.”

McLay said because the wharf was not operational, the problem would not have any immediate impact on businesses in Lae – except for Consort Express Lines which was using the facility.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill opened the wharf in December, 2014.