By Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Australian government has stepped in to fund emergency works on damages to bridges, caused by floods in Northern province.
A sum of K1.5 million was provided to the Works Department to do remediation works.
Department Secretary, David Wereh, and Sohe MP, Delilah Gore, were part of a team to witness work being carried out.
Wereh was pleased that remedial works were undertaken so promptly.
“I am very glad that we were able to work together with Australia to ensure a prompt response and undertake emergency works on the structures damaged by recent flooding,” he said.
He also noted that Australia’s support was part of a longer-term solution to mitigate the impact that floods have on the northern and coastal highways through the joint PNG-Australia Oro Bridges Reconstruction Project.
Through this project, Australia and PNG are jointly investing over K139 million in Oro province to replace bridges at Eroro, Girua, Ambogo and Kumusi that were washed away as a result of Cyclone Guba in 2007.
Four new bridges have been designed under the Oro Bridges Reconstruction Project through the PNG-Australia Transport Sector Support Program.