Work on Wara Kagul-Walume road starts

By LUKE KAMA
Work on the K1.8 million Wara Kagul-to-Walume section of the Highlands Highway began last month, a senior Works’ officer says.
This stretch starts from Wara Kagul on the border of the two provinces to Walume Junction in Southern Highlands.
Senior project engineer for Southern Highlands’ Works Samson Urara said the road work was 17km long and was divided into two sections. Each section has been allocated to a contractor.
“One section from Walume to Ore Bridge is undertaken by LCL Construction,” Urara said.
“The other section from Ore to Wara Kagul is undertaken by Construct Oceanic Ltd.
“It’s funded by the national Government through the Works Department.
“Work started last month and is into its fourth week now.”
Works’ Minister Michael Nali said the Government was committed to improving roads in the country despite the hard times.
“This upgrade is in line with the overall Government plan to improve the Highlands Highway, which is an important economic corridor in the country,” he said.
Public relations officer Albert Warena, who is also the chief of Perepa where the road construction is underway, said they were addressing landowner issues.
“We have conducted awareness among our people and told them to respect the work as this is done for the greater good,” he said.
“Government will still pay them.
“They appreciate that and are allowing us to remove structures and within the five-metre corridor of the highway on both sides without any disruptions.”