Works stalled due to non-payment of firms

By ELLEN TIAMU
MUCH of the road works in Lae have come to a standstill because the government has yet to pay contractors.
Two representatives of the contractors are in Port Moresby to find out when they can expect payment as most casual workers with the five major road contractors have been laid off pending payment by the Department of Treasury.
The road works were tendered and awarded under the Somare government.
While the Bugandi to Markham and Markham to Milfordhaven roads have been completed, the top town roads are still mostly closed.
Work has not progressed since November. Some companies tried to use their own money while awaiting payment from the State, but that has stopped.
In most instances, supervisors are holding the fort until the payments come through.
A contractor spokesman said there were a few more roads within the city precincts yet to be tendered.
The former pothole city of Lae is now fast becoming a cement city, with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill promising that the government would fund a four-lane road for the 45km from Lae to Nadzab Airport.
With Lae getting rainfall all year round, repeated attempts to build bitumen roads have seen them crumble after a few months.
That is why cement-based roads are being trailled there.