Why award contract for road project to logger?

 THIS is an open call to the Kopex governor to inform taxpayers and the national government on the status of the New Britain Highway road upgrading project. 

He is duty-bound to tell the  people the progress of the multi-million kina project. 

It would be in the best interests of the public to know how much money has been used to date on this Trans-Island Highway and what reputable, nationally-owned road construction company was awarded the contract. 

Rumour has it that a logging company with a questionable background has been appointed. 

If this is true, then the governor may have to explain  if  proper  tendering processes were followed to award  the contract to a logger instead of the many specialist road contractors around the country. 

Did the project even go through an open tender? 

It is understood that the logger bought most of its concrete pipes for waterway crossing and overseas equipment  at  a cheap price, brought in by Asian log ships. 

Why spend taxpayers’ money abroad when such materials could have easily been sourced locally? 

We want quality work out of the millions of kina allocated for the project, not sub-standard work. 

Can the minister for works intervene and institute an investigation into this matter or request the Task Force Sweep to investigate the company and the players behind the awarding of the contract? 

Observer Radaaz

Kimbe