Landowner disputes delay K20m Hawain Bridge project

Landowner conflicts and persistent harassment of contractors have delayed the completion of the K20 million Hawain Bridge in East Sepik, leading to a tragic loss of life.

Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba clarified the situation, following a fatal accident where a driver drowned after his vehicle plunged through a gap in the bridge’s timber decking.

The deceased driver was transporting fuel drums for a contractor working on the 40-kilometre Aitape Road Project under the Connect PNG program when the accident occurred.

"The incident on the Hawain Bridge is an unfortunate event that has caused the demise of a life," Holemba said.

He said while the driver had replaced missing timber planks the day before his journey, locals allegedly removed them again during the night. The driver was killed while attempting to navigate the resulting gaps in the deck.

Secretary Holemba revealed that the national government had committed K20 million to replace the aging timber-planked structure with a permanent 60-metre steel arch bridge. However, the project has been stalled for two years.

"The delay has been due to landowner issues. Locals have caused significant destruction and have even attacked staff from the contractor, COVEC Construction," Holemba said.

"They have been chasing workers off-site, which forced the contractor to close down for the last two years. The state has followed legal processes through the Department of Lands to acquire the land on both sides of the bridge, but landowners are now challenging this in court."

Holemba dismissed claims of payment delays, stating that COVEC Construction has been fully paid for all processed claims. He said all bridge components and materials are already on-site at Hawain.

To ensure the project's completion this year, the Department plans to seek a heavy police presence to secure the site and prevent further tampering with the temporary crossing.

"Our immediate need is to bring in police to restore access and stop locals from removing parts of the temporary bridge," he said.

He said an alternative wet crossing is available downstream for public use while construction continues.

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has countered the Department’s narrative, calling on the National Government to hand over responsibility for the highway to the province to prevent further tragedies.

"The Hawain bridge and the road is a national government responsibility. All we can do is argue with someone in Port Moresby to take an interest in fixing it," Bird said.

The Governor raised serious concerns regarding the disbursement of budgeted funds, alleging that the province is being underfunded.

"Last year, of the K78 million in cash budgeted to East Sepik, the National Government gave us only K18 million," Bird claimed.

He said the Provincial Government has had to step in repeatedly to fill the maintenance gap.

"The little we had, we paid the Department of Works on two occasions to maintain Hawain Bridge last year. In fact, we do that every year when someone informs us of the condition of that bridge."

Governor Bird argued that the fatal accident could have been avoided if the province held the mandate and the necessary funding to maintain the highway leading to the West Sepik border.

Meanwhile, Holemba extended his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased driver, describing the loss of a workman dedicated to the country's infrastructure as a tragedy for the department.