The long querlied One Hundred Million kina funding for the Lae roads is parked in a trust account established bythe Works Department.
Yesterday, Treasury Minister Don Polye revealed that warrants for this funding were released and is in a trust account ready to begin work.
Mr. Polye’saidthe funds will be utilized from this trust account and notthe provincial treasury, nor ther trust accounts.
The minister toldthe media thatthe money for the Lae roads will be managed bythe works department.
Morobe Governor Kelly Naru called onthe Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill to sack Minister for Civil Works, Francis Awesa, after learning thatthe funds were not inthe Provincial Treasury.
However,the minister said it is normal government procedure thatthe funds will be given tothe contractors who winthe tender put out bythe works department.
The improverment tothe Lae roads is said to attract more investors intothe Morobe Province.
Governor Naru said he will not rest until all public utilities, including road infrastructure are fixed.
Last month,the Morobe Provincial Works Department revealed howthey had to resolve issues relating tothe absence of contracts and design specifications for crucial roads in Lae City.
Provincial Works Manager, Kingsford Kassen, said in phase one and two ofthe developmentotwo major projects had no formal contracts.
The Central Supply and Tenders Beard which allowedthe contracts inthe first place had to suspendthe arrangements afterthe works department raisedthe alarm.
The jobs were given using Certificates of Expediency that were usually employed during state of emergencies and some ofthe contractors were paid up front.
He added that work continues but Lae residents are furious overthe delay.
The Prime Minister today explainedthe delay ofthe project.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=k_uHh-Vcn5Q%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
previous post