By Edwin Fidelis – EMTV News, Kokopo
Over 900 smallholder oil palm growers will delay their harvesting following the collapse of the Ivune log bridge last Friday in the West New Britain province.
The bridge, considered as a lifeline for the people living along the Bialla-Kimbe Highway, was washed away following last week’s continuous downpour.
Hargy Oil Palm Limited General Manager, Graham King, says the collapse of the bridge may affect the income revenue for both farmers and the Hargy Oil Palm mill, as their trucks used the route to transfer oil palm.
King told EMTV that the palm oil industry generates an annual income of K1 billion in export revenue for the government, yet their road infrastructure has been in ruin for more than 10 years.
Three more temporary log bridges along the Bialla and Hoskins Highway are also under threat if rain continues.
