$385M budgeted for Hinterland airstrips

Dec 18, 2016 News

In 2017, a number of Hinterland airstrips have been identified to undergo rehabilitation and completion. The total sum to be expended is $385M. This year, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure expended $351M on the project.
The airstrips to be completed next year are at Fairview, Eterinbang, Kurupung, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, Annai and Kaikan. Those to be rehabilitated are at Baramita, Ekereku Bottom and Chi Chi.
According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during the consideration of the 2017 estimates of revenue and expenditure of his Ministry last week, the cost allocated for works on the Fairview airstrip total $7.7M; Eterinbang, $38.3M; Kurupung $14.49M; Paramakatoi $19.97M; Kato $32.8M; Kopinang $19.32M; Monkey Mountain $11.9M; Annai $28.4M; and Kaikan $42M.
He said that these works are currently ongoing while the new target areas in Baramita, Ekereku Bottom and Chi Chi will total $50M.
In November, Cabinet had given its no objection for the sum of $304M to be used for these projects. The work at Eterinbang was awarded to STP Investments, while the airstrip at Kurupung was awarded to MMC Inc.
N&A Construction Company was awarded the contract for Paramakatoi while Colin Talbot Contracting Services was given the contract for Kato and Kopinang airstrips. Monkey Mountain was awarded to K.P Thomas and Sons Construction Services.
The completion of these works is expected to involve the residents of the communities. This was encouraged by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post cabinet press conference when the awards were announced.
According to him, it is government’s vision to bolster the economic activities of hinterland residents. Despite being employed by contractors, these locals can be sub-contracted thereby providing jobs.
In October, Minister Patterson had said that the reason why the works were not completed as yet was due to the slothful approach by the contractors. He said that some of the same contractors who were awarded the contracts in 2016 were also chosen for 2017.
Patterson even went further to warn that their 2016 performance would count against them in the New Year.

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