Work on K4mil road progressing

The National National
Gravelling of the K4 million Pinj-Munihu road will start at Topa village in Mendi-Munihu, Southern Highlands, this week. It has reached 6km in Imbonggu. – Picture supplied

WORK on the K4 million Pinj-Munihu road, funded by the Southern Highlands government is now progressing after a delay, community leader says.
Martin Tis, from Topa village in Mendi-Munihu, told The National that contractor Gravity Engineering Ltd was working at Topa ward in the Lai valley local level government area of Mendi-Munihu after finishing about 6km in Imbonggu.
“There is ongoing construction work at Topa, when finished, it will reach Tukup then to Tumia wards,” he said.
“So we have two more wards to reach, about 12km, before reaching Munihu Station.
“The clearing and grubbing work has passed Topa the coffee plantation and now into Kolipa village, gravelling work will start at Topa this week.”
Tis said the road had been neglected for many years, affecting more than 20,000 people living in the area.
He said once completed, it will also benefit people from Nipa-Kutubu.
“The area has rich, fertile land for vegetables, coffee, potatoes and other cash crops, but due to road condition, farmers have been producing less for consumption and few to be sold at local markets.
“The people are thankful to the provincial government for funding the project, it will make life easier for people and open up business activities.”
Pinj one councillor Daniel Welup said: “After 46 years walking with lit embers dawn and night, they will finally have a good road.
“We have faith that the road will be completed and will link every ward in the two districts.
“We are optimistic Governor William Powi will continue to support the project until its completion.
“We, the project beneficiaries, will support the contractor so that work progresses effectively without any disturbances.”
Powi said the provincial government had invested more on rural road network and improvement as it connected people to essential services.
He said improving road infrastructure in the rural areas would improve the performance of local people to participate in economic activities and inclusive development.
“Subsistence farmers cannot continue to live the same old ways, they need good roads to have access to PMVs (public motor vehicles) to reach health services, schools, markets and shops,” he said.