Works urged to build bridge

 WORKS Minister Francis Awesa has been urged to get the Kumalu by-pass bridge in Mumeng, Bulolo built quickly.

Mumeng council president Okam Paton said Awesa should get the contractor to begin construction immediately. It follows the sexual assault on a girl and the assault on a man at Kumalu River on Tuesday.

The incidents were blamed on youths who were collecting fees from people trying to cross the river.

“Most incidences occur when the river floods its banks. If there was a bridge, they could be avoided as people will travel across on their vehicles,” Paton said.

The Government has allocated K14 million for the Kumalu by-pass road and bridge.

Bulolo district administrator Tae Gwambelek said a company had been engaged to build the bridge across the Kumalu River.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru and Morobe Mining Joint Venture community affairs manager Stanley Komunt have advised the company to immediately start the work.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil has several times been pushing for the construction of the bridge since the ground-breaking ceremony for the access road in 2013.