By BUSTIN ANZU
POLICE in Morobe are concerned about the safety of commuters and the heavy equipment machinary engaged to fix the roads at this time of the year with the bad weather conditions.
Security is not guaranteed and people have been advised to be alert when travelling.
Commuters travelling between Lae and Bulolo areas need to look after themselves and workers operating the machines that are fixing the road also need to take precautions.
Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Warap said police are concerned for commuters travelling between Lae and Bulolo, including the Wau, Garaina, Menyamya and Aseki areas of Morobe Province during this time of heavy flooding in the Mumeng area that saw the flooding of the Kumalu River, forcing the closure of the Bulolo-Wau Highway for a week.
“The recent flooding at Kumalu River has forced commuters to remain stranded on
both sides of the river making it impassable by vehicles. Many commuters cross
the river on foot to continue their journey. During the course, many have lost
their properties to locals under the pretext of potters.
“Or sometimes, locals force commuters to pay some form of fee for ‘trespassing’ when passing through on their land. They also do the same to the machines that are trying to clear the road and divert the path of the river,” PPC Warap said.
He said by law, it’s not right to charge fees or force payment as it is a national asset. Also, to stop the machines from fixing the road or damaging them and asking for payment is also wrong and criminal in nature.
“Or sometimes, locals force commuters to pay some form of fee for ‘trespassing’ when passing through on their land. They also do the same to the machines that are trying to clear the road and divert the path of the river,” PPC Warap said.
He said by law, it’s not right to charge fees or force payment as it is a national asset. Also, to stop the machines from fixing the road or damaging them and asking for payment is also wrong and criminal in nature.
He said locals should refrain from such illegal activities and instead assist by
maintaining the safe flow of traffic, especially commuters, and the repairing of
the highway.
The Provincial police chief said that due to the rains which has caused road blocks along sections of the highway, traffic has also become congested and this can cause accidents and appealed to drivers to be alert for their safety, as well as for their vehicles.
He said police will not always be at around to ensure their safety and security but as responsible citizens of this country, they must learn to understand and respect that the disaster was caused by nature and is not a man-made disaster.
Meanwhile, there is still heavy floods in parts of the province. The Bulolo-Wau highway has experienced heavy flooding with rivers and creeks bursting their banks onto the roads.
A lot of sediment and debris can be seen along the highway at Timini and Wampit villages.
The Markham River has flooded its banks, almost reaching the Mumeng side of the Markham Bridge.
Concerns have been raised by locals for those in authority to build retaining walls so that the river does not flow across the road or possess more land.
The Provincial police chief said that due to the rains which has caused road blocks along sections of the highway, traffic has also become congested and this can cause accidents and appealed to drivers to be alert for their safety, as well as for their vehicles.
He said police will not always be at around to ensure their safety and security but as responsible citizens of this country, they must learn to understand and respect that the disaster was caused by nature and is not a man-made disaster.
Meanwhile, there is still heavy floods in parts of the province. The Bulolo-Wau highway has experienced heavy flooding with rivers and creeks bursting their banks onto the roads.
A lot of sediment and debris can be seen along the highway at Timini and Wampit villages.
The Markham River has flooded its banks, almost reaching the Mumeng side of the Markham Bridge.
Concerns have been raised by locals for those in authority to build retaining walls so that the river does not flow across the road or possess more land.
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