Department of Works and Highways allocates K60m as emergency relief for road maintenance

Chimbu section of the Highlands Highway (Supplied: DoWH)

The Department of Works and Highways [DoWH] has allocated K60m for nationwide road maintenance and recovery for impacted roads and bridges caused by natural hazards.

Minister Solan Mirisim said they are fully aware of the current natural disaster induced landslips, washouts and flash floods occurring throughout the country due to the continuous wet weather condition experienced in the country, and the department has responded on a timely manner to ensure maintenance is carried out.

Some sections of the key National Highway that has been affected includes Kainantu to Goroka, Goroka to Chimbu, parts of Eastern Highlands, Wabag to Porgera [restored as of Monday 5pm], sections of Bulolo Highway [Kumali River], East to West New Britain, Madang to Ramu and Bogia [section of North Coast Highway].

“Let me assure the country that my department is committed to respond to the emergency works around the country in a timely manner,” Mr Mirisim said in a media conference today.

"From reports and assessments from our field engineers we estimate that the emergency and restoration work will cost around K60 million to respond and restore nationwide emergency within two weeks' time.

"Key amongst them is to utilize the existing contractors who are working on this section on multi-year contracts to carry out the emergency repairs on a proactive basis to restore traffic flow that has been blocked by the natural,” he said.

Huge cracks in the road as locals look at the Chimbu section of the Highlands Highway (Supplied: DoWH)

The funds for this come under the maintenance component of the Connect PNG Program with the Minister assuring that the department will take full responsibility to ensure the funds are used for its intended purpose.

Mr Mirisim further stated that for long term solutions; DoWH is considering designing and building climate resilient infrastructures that will withstand such natural disasters due to climate change induced weather conditions which has resulted in unpredicted weather patterns.

Meanwhile, the minister has urged communities along the impacted highways to work with DoWH and engaged contractors to ensure the full maintenance of the roads to restore normalcy.