Work to start on highway: Wereh

By LUKE KAMA
WORKS Secretary David Wereh says contractors have been instructed to start work on the K3 billion Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme.
Wereh said this in response queries by The National yesterday on progress made in the actual reconstruction and rehabilitation works on the highway following launching by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in Goroka last month. “Contractual procedures to effect actual commencement of rehabilitation and reconstruction works were done and contractors have been instructed to start work,” he said.
The project covers the highway from Nadzab in Morobe to Kagamuga Airport in Mount Hagen covering 428km.
Rehabilitation and maintenance works were divided into three sections.
First section is from Nadzab to Henganofi Bridge in Eastern Highlands with contract value of K229 million covering 210km awarded to Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd.
The second section is from Henganofi to Kagamuga Junction which was awarded to China Wu Yi Ltd at the cost of K161 million covering 161km.
The final section is the Chimbu section which starts from Mangiro to Munde awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company Limited at the cost of K170 million covering 57km.
Wereh said the contract was awarded to the three international firms through a very stringent bidding process supervised independently by financier – Asian Development Bank.
“Although major contract is awarded to the international firms, the Government’s policy is to promote local business,” he said.
“It is promoting small-to-medium enterprises in this programme when you look further.
“Around 30 to 40 per cent of the jobs are expected to be done by local contractors.
“It is already captured under contract agreements with the contractors that 30-40 per cent of the job must be sub-contracted to local firms based in the vicinity of the construction works undertaken.”