By Michelle Amba – EMTV, Port Moresby
Landowner claims piling up at Department of Works has accumulated to K600 million.
However, the state has decided to challenge all these claims at court to justify the nature of all the claims presented.
The Department of Works has been successful in dismissing an K86 million claim for Simbu section of the Highlands Highway.
The National Court last Thursday threw out the case finding that it was not a genuine claim.
Today, Works Secretary, David Wereh, said landowner compensation claims has been one of the greatest impediments for the state to deliver state funded projects.
He warned contractors to be mindful when taking the state to court over breach of contracts, if the courts find that these claims are baseless, these contractors will be black listed from any future state funded projects.
He said there is already in place giving the state every right to develop the 40 metre corridor and people should not be ignorant and claim compensation from the state.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=OwqEF2EECF8%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0