Governor inspects Taurama bypass

Caption:   A section of the new bypass

Caption:   The entrance to the bypass, note to the right the main road to Taurama Barracks

Caption:   Governor Parkop addressing the media


By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, August 25, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)



GOVERNOR for NCD, Powes Parkop, inspected the new Taurama bypass road, which is currently being constructed to close off access by the public to the Taurama Military Barrack, to the Taurama area behind the barrack that is currently home to close to 3,000 residents, last week on the outskirts of Port Moresby.

The road was built using the emergency powers the Governor had to build it without having to go through the proper tender process, as the commander for the army Brigadier General Francis Agwi and the commander of Taurama Barracks had given an ultimatum for the public to be refused entry through the barracks to reach their homes.

Access into the barracks over the years, by the general public has made it difficult for the defence hierarchy to maintain command and control of the troops- something that is evident by recent events, such as the standoff with students at the UPNG Medical Faculty.

“No barracks in the world will allow public access through their property, something that may be a first in the world, with the situation at Taurama at the moment.”

“We have contracted a local company, Mobile Works, who are constructing the bypass at their own expense, as we have not budgeted for the project,” the governor explained.

Despite various complaints by various landowners from Pari Village, the governor said that their grievances will be looked at this week; however, he understood that the land on which the bypass was built on was on reserve defence land.

The bypass road is anticipated to be completed within the next two to three months, with the governor giving the assurance to the Defence hierarchy to have it completed within the stated timeframe.

Governor Parkop said that the real cost to have a proper road constructed will be to the tune of K30 million- money that the commission did not have.

Brigadier Agwi, said that he had written to the Governor to construct the bypass for the people who mostly suffered from the military’s curfews, and protocols of entry.

“We have to close camp when we conduct exercises, and those that suffer the most are the general public- some are senior public servant, some work at late hours, and some need access for leisure activities.”

“I had to ask the governor, and I thank him and the member for Moresby South for their response to our ultimatum, which will benefit us all in the long run,” the general said.

The governor also announced that as part of NCDC’s commitment to the partnership with the PNGDF, they would also build a fence around the entire barracks to demarcate the line between the general public and the disciplined force.