Governor stands by contractor

Caption 1:  (L) Nigibata Road still being worked on- and a portion of Tauriganika Drive still to be sealed.

Caption 2:  North-East MP Malabag and Governor Parkop first launching the Gerehu Drive project in July 1, 2014, constructed by Phoenix.  

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

 

WITH roads works in the country’s largest suburb, Gerehu, Port Moresby, still ongoing- residents have raised complaints via social media platforms questioning the quality and commitment of roads contractor Phoenix Builders.

Answering queries from the media this week, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, said that the issues with certain projects in the Gerehu suburbs were due to road design failures and cash flow- not all that of the contractor.

The project of concern that have raised criticism are the main Gerehu Drive road, and the Nigibata Road and Tauriganika Drive within Gerehu Stage 2.

“I want to acknowledge that Gerehu drive was a problem but we have explained that already. The problem was not actually with the contractor but the design and the initial design was not based on a major arterial road, it was based on residential road that is why it collapsed,” the governor said.

“The contractor Phoenix built the road based on the specifications of the design so what I want people to understand is that some issues that arise on the road may be the contractors fault and it can also be the designers fault.”

“If the design is done based on geotech (geotechnical) requirements and the use of that road in terms of frequency then the road base can collapse.”

“I don’t understand why our engineers designed it that way, but it was rectified- I think towards the roundabout it has to do with the leakage of water which has nothing to do with NCDC.”

He said that Nigibata Road is a challenge due to the design being for a 2 lane initially.

“So when Phoenix was engaged to do the two lane, suddenly the engineers tell us it’s been upgraded to a four lane.”

“It is a challenge because it is slowing down because or cash flow and not because of Phoenix being incompetent or slow.”

“They can’t work if we don’t pay them and NCDC like National Government and any other government we don’t have an endless pool of money where you can just pay. Everything depends on what we get from revenue earners like IRC who pay us monthly and based on the figure monthly we pay Phoenix, and out other contractors.”

Parkop explained the dilemma with Tauriganika Drive as one that is due to cash flow issues as it was planned to start in June of 2015.

“It is a major ring road in Gerehu that did not start because the other roads were slow to complete because of cash flow management.”

“Some people are saying we should not engage them (Phoenix) because they are builders come contractors. I don’t think that is a serious issue here. Any company can become a road construction company if they have got the qualified personnel to do it especially the engineers and workers who are going to do the work.”

He said that they engaged Phoenix after a successful tendering process in 2013, with their bid being the lowest for all access roads in the city.

“Our record shows that we have tried everyone. You name it we have tried them in terms of roads in the city.”

“We have been fair to everyone and tried them before we came to Phoenix so let them complete what they have been assigned to do first and then we can open up again to try new contractors.”

“On my record we have tried local companies, but some of them let us down big time. They got the money and delivered nothing and I don’t want to go to that.”

“I know the record and I know some of our companies they keep on saying give Papua New Guineans are go and when we do they give us lousy outcomes. I am still keen to engage local companies but they must rise up to the standard and deliver quality product so that we can continue to engage them.”

Major road projects moving along, despite corridor issues

Caption:  (L) Taurama road opened up, while 6 Mile Saraga road portion still yet to.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

MAJOR road projects in Port Moresby have been moving along despite delays with road corridor issues still persistent.

Two of those projects being the Taurama road (linking to the Magi Highway) and the Magi Highway (6 Mile to Bautama) projects.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop, in an update was pleased with the progress of the Six Mile to Bautama project, however, added that delays along the 6 Mile road corridor that is inhabited by settlers of Saraga, was still an issue for the 4 lane project.

“I am please and Hebou (Construction) is doing great progress, but the rod corridor heading back to 6 Mile involves people who have been settling there for a long time,” Parkop said.

“People will be affected that is why we have not come to it but eventually we will come to it. We have to work with the customary landowners there, the Saraga brothers, to resettle some of those people who are on the road corridor.”

“Once those plans are in place then resettlement will take place and the road corridor works will take place.”

The governor assured residents and people from the Central Province that the project will still be completed on the timeframe set.

“It will happen but we have to manage these issues that affect the lives of people. A lot of people have been displaced by the road works that have been happening in the city.”

“It’s not easy for us to manage those type of issues with the infrastructure that is needed for our economy and growing city at the same time cater for our people.”

“We are working with the customary landowners and I am hopeful that an outcome will be achieved soon. I want commend the Saraga brother who have helped us with the relocation of the people from 2Mile with the upgrading of the Hubert Murray Highway portion from Badili up to 2Mile which caters for over 500 families.”

Governor Parkop also commended the resident along the Taurama road their cooperation despite a delay in construction have voluntarily removed structures within the 40 meter requirement zone to construct the four lanes.

“I want to commend the residents over there between Vadavada and Taurama valley. Some have been a bit reluctant and dragging their feet but eventually they have come to see sense and cleared the road corridor for themselves.”

“I know they are facing immediate loss in terms of pulling out their structures and relocating their business and houses but in the long run the road is good for everyone.”

“It’s there to serve the entire residents of Vadavada and Taurama valley and the military barracks, and everybody else in the city.”

He added that the choices made by the municipal authority are not easy but are done with the future in mind.

“In the future Taurama valley and all the land down to the beach up to Vadavada and to 6 Mile Saraga area in 10 years’ time or less than that will be very highly populated areas with a lot of residential commercial, industrial so they need that type of four lane road so they need to make that kind of hard choice.”

“People are asking me maybe we should have a two lane road going through there but I think it will be irresponsible for me as the incumbent governor to submit to that easier option that would cater for our people today but not for the future.”

Major events symbolic to capital’s changing attitude

Caption: NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT is the observation according to National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, on both the regional and global view of Port Moresby.

He said that when making reference to major regional and global events that have graced, and will grace the capital’s shores.

“We all are witnessing many regional and international events happening in our country, particularly taking place in our capital city.”

“What I want to impress to our residents and our people in the country is that Port Moresby is chosen, because we are changing.”

“We are making our city safer, we are making our city clean, we are creating an environment where opportunity and investment can take place, tourists can come, big conferences can come, and APEC can come,” the governor said.

He called on residents and the nation to understand the reasoning behind the occurrence of high profile meets and events.

“These events are not just happening because suddenly people love us. We are bringing the investment, taking the lead, and achieving the outcome that the world wants.”

“We are creating an environment that is conducive for everyone to embrace us that is why these events are happening.”

He said violence was a major factor that could destabilise the achievements the city has gained to date.

“We need to move in that direction continuously and the whole nation must likewise. We must curb violence around the country.”

“No business, no tourist will come to our shores and invest in our towns and villages if our environment is not safe.”

The governor also made reference to the hosting of the FIFA Under20 Women’ World Cup to be hosted in the capital by October.

“FIFA cannot extend the games outside of Port Moresby. It is not only because the facilities are not there, but they have doubts about those other venues.”

“People of our city should acknowledge the progress we are making and I want to commend them. Some of them have been a bit difficult and we have drag them.”

“They do not see the bigger picture and continue to spit and litter our city, but if they see the overall outcome that we are achieving they must start to realise that the direction that we have set is the correct direction and it is paying dividend now.”

“We are hosting the Under 20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and one of the reasons why FIFA chose to bring the world cup here is that they want to leave a legacy and the greatest legacy they can leave apart from the game is to promote gender equality, denounce violence, and to change our attitude.”

That is a goal FIFA has and that is a goal we should support. The world is coming to respect Port Moresby, and when we go in that direction the whole nation will respect us,” he added.

NCD Gender based violence secretariat partners slammed

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

IN his address to mark International Women’s Day, NCD Governor has slammed all partners, including NCDC, involved in the setting up of the NCD Gender based Violence Secretariat, which has yet to be formed.

He said that despite initial funding of K2 million already being allocated in 2015- none of the funds have yet to be used.

“On the national front I understand that there is a submission that has gone to cabinet and I hope that soon we will formulate the national strategy, however, for our city we have already allocated fund last year and this year to set up a secretariat to deal with gender based violence,” Parkop said.

Adding the secretariats role to help all NGOs, church based organisation, working towards curbing sexual and gender based violence in the city.

“Funding was made available last year about K2 million and it has not been used. We are too slow. All the partners who are working with us are too slow.”

“Department for Community Development are too slow, our gender desk are too slow, UNDP are too slow, for them all to formulate and put in place the mechanisms where we can start helping all the wonderful organisations who are out there who are doing wonderful work to curb gender based violence and sexual violence.”

“People are blaming the government for responding slowly but for our case in our capital we’ve made the money available last year and not one toea has been used. I am not happy.”

Parkop added that the same allocation has been made against the commission’s 2016 budget with the hope that the secretariat will be formed soon.

“I did announce last year the creation of the secretariat and up till now it is not running. I can’t be blamed as a political leader for that slow process- to be serious and put the secretariat in place to develop the projects that will tackle the problem that is impeding the wellbeing of our people and our nation.”

Parkop declares 2016 a year for women and girls

Caption: Governor Parkop posing with women wearing the ‘Safe City for Women and Girls’ awareness t-shirts worn for today’s walk for life.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

TO mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday, NCD Governor Powes Parkop has declared 2016 a year for the safety for women and girls in the city.

He said as the municipal authority of the nation’s capital would take various steps to improve the well-being of women through their day to day movement within the city.

“Today is International Women’s Day, it is a significant day globally and our city and our country cannot be an exception. I am here to announce the steps we are taking to address gender equality especially, but more importantly, for the purpose for our city and our country to announce initiatives we are taking to move our city to be safer and to bring peace,” Governor Parkop said.

“International women’s day is an effort by women all over the world and historically achieve gender equality and in our country it is a goal that we must achieve all equality, irrespective of sex, tribal affiliations, and nationalities.”

“Today I would like to announce that in our city this year I declare that we must all aim to achieve a city that is safe and is peaceful for women and girls. That is the best commitment that we as a people and a nation can show to the country.”

He called for more respect from men in the city, adding that with the status of the country goes hand-in-hand, as judgement by numerous international reports of gender violence.

“The nation cannot hold itself high to be a dignified people and country, subscribing to higher virtues if we do not have that respect for mothers and girls,” he said.

“We are doing badly, all the reports that are going out by the United Nations, by organisations like Medecins Sans Frontieres are all shocking. It is a big wakeup call on all of us to take this issue seriously.”

“Violence is retarding our people and it is shaming us and embarrassing us to the world generally. As governor and a national leader I continue to discuss and am shocked that violence continues to affect our families and our communities, our towns and cities and our country.”

“I want to see a holistic approach by the police, community, and parliament to increase the penalty on perpetrators.”

He said despite the efforts of governments, organisations, and individuals, there is still a lot yet to be made.

“There has been a lot of effort from that end from NGOs, Churches, community based organisations, but we have come to a critical stage where there must be a strategy to counter gender based violence of all forms.”

“On this occasion there cannot be any better thing to do to address this than to adopt the national strategy to deal with violence.”

The governor also, through his Walk for Life campaign, held this morning, dedicated the walk to the safety and respect of women in the capital.