By Merilyn Diau-Katam – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Missing links such as roads, jetties and airstrips are vital for rural areas in Papua New Guinea to receive services.
One such road, is the Hiri Lai Valley road that will link Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.
The construction began in 2013, for the 26km road which is nearing its completion.
The missing link will enable a population of around 50,000 people in 24 LLGs in the Lai Valley and Hiri areas to access Government services.
IPWENZ Construction’s Operations Manager, Gibson Palipe, said, “We are clearing depth of 13 to 15 meters, ensuring road formation is there along the ridges. The other team is already at Kema Village so now it’s only 5km and the missing link will be accessible by Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands people”.
Though the K40 million construction is nearing completion; they are awaiting the rest of the funding from the Department of Works.
Last week, some workers were laid off leaving only multiskilled employees to continue cleaning and maintaining earth works.
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