by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV News, Mendi
Work on the Mendi-Tabul road is set to commence in the next two months.
Ward councillors and leaders signed a Memorandum of Agreement today to pave way for the project to begin.
The Mendi-Tabul road is the second national highway in the Mendi-Munhiu District approved by a National Executive Council decision.
Mendi Munhiu District Administrator, James Embea, said people have waited for almost 40 years to see the road become a reality.
“We cannot waste anymore time to delay the first phase of the road project,” Embea said.
“The district is opening up as roads will bring other vital services when it is complete,” he added.
The road is funded under the Asian Development Bank road infrastructure program.
ADB representative, Mathias Konga, told the people of Mendi Munhiu that the MoA is a vital step to prove that work on the road may commence once final documents of the contract is signed at the Government House in Port Moresby.
Mendi Munhiu MP De Kewanu expressed joy over the understanding by community leaders along the corridor of the highway.
“The Mendi -Tabul road is an economic road for the district,”Kewanu said.
“The road is an impact project for the district,” said MP Kewanu.
Kewanu thanked ADB and the O’Neill-Dion Government for approving and prioritising the Mendi-Tabul road as a national highway.
The MoA was signed at the Karel Council Chamber in Upper Mendi Local Level Government and was witnessed by hundreds who welcomed the project.
