Govt to crack down on unnecessary compensation claims

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, October 2, 2013 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the message from the Minister for Works Francis Awesa, when responding to queries about potential delays regarding compensation claims in the Highlands Highway Rehabilitation Program, which kick started with the first contract sign between the State and China Railway International LTD, at Government House, in Port Moresby last week.  

He said that compensation was becoming a major issue hindering development in the country- saying that the government was now valuing properties along the road, trees, crops, huts, all have their values, all have been set in value.

The Minister stated that it was in response to instances in one or two provinces where value were exaggerated.

“In one or two provinces, valuers have gone in an inflated the prices and have gone off track where bush huts have gone from K500 or so to K80,000.”  

“So what we are going to do is bring everything back to a set price, so that lands (Lands Department) valuers can get it right.”

He also referred to the Roads Infrastructure Protection Act, which came into force at the end of 2010 as a means of addressing the issue.

“The law is a very serious law, but we have not charged anyone yet under it- with penalties like K100,000 fine or five years in prison.”

“We have to go back and revisit this, because you cannot encroach onto the highway corridor, to build homes or gardens near the road,” he said.

Starting in the Highlands provinces first, he said that there will be meeting with Provincial Police Commanders, after consultation with the police commissioner, who has arranged for a meeting between works, transport, and themselves, provincial governments, and representative from the attorney general’s office.

“We have to start charging people and show them we mean business and this is going to happen.”

“Some of the claims are so crazy, stores built so close to the road, these people are selfish, especially those in the highlands.”

He said it was a challenge for the government, as those individuals wanted more- concluding that they would not tolerate opportunists, and deal in a reasonable and fair way to those that had genuine claims.