By Martha Louis – EMTV News, Madang
The Lae-Madang Highway is one of the economic corridors in Papua New Guinea yet it is one of the most neglected. The section of the highway near Ono Mountain has deteriorated making it difficult for vehicles to travel through. With recent rains experienced along the highway, motorists continue to face difficulties travelling along this section of the highway.
Jason Sebu is a PMV driver who travels regularly on this highway. He says this section of the road has not been fixed for a long time and has become a serious concern for commuters.
Another concern was raised by John Kelebus from Usino Bundi District of Madang Province. John uses this road to get home, however, given the state the road is in, his people are hit hard. Business houses who also depend on this national highway are also affected by the failing state of the road. This drives up maintenance costs resulting in the delay, causing them to lose important revenue.
Last month, a bridge linking Bogia and Sumkar districts in Madang province was also washed away due to heavy downpour and flooding. It was the third bridge in Madang province to collapse since the start of 2018. This is not the first time commuters, PMV operators and the business community have vented their frustrations.
Earlier last month, heavy flooding had washed away the culvert at Iguruwe in Usino Bundi which cut off the road making it difficult for vehicles to pass. Commuters and vehicle owners are calling on the Works Department to fix the road.
