KAGUA BRIDGE NOT FIXED DESPITE K500, 000 FUNDING

By Samuel RAITANO

THE current state of the Kagua river bridge at Usa ward, in Kagua Erave district of Southern Highlands Province has raised concerns by the people of Aiya LLG, following no construction of a replacement bridge, despite purported funding support of K500,000 from the National Disaster Office.

Aiya LLG was hit by floods and landslides in late October last year (2024) causing damage to the bridge and also severely affecting six council wards.

A local elite from Aiya LLG, Joachim Orapa revealed that a new bridge set was donated by the National Works and Highways Department in 2023 which he used his own funds to transport from Lae to Mendi.

However, he says the materials were in Mendi but he was told to seek assistance from Southern Highlands Provincial Government and Kagua Erave District Development Authority.

Orapa, who is also the Managing Director of local construction company Baba Construction says his team had worked voluntarily on that part of the road to Aiya LLG, however the construction of the new bridge would cost up to K1.5 million due to increased damages and course of the river.

Call is now being made on Kagua Erave District Development Authority and Southern Highlands Provincial Government to assist.