Bird questions treasurer over Passam-Maprik road funding by Australian government

East Sepik governor Allan Bird has questioned Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey to explain the status of K100 million funding provided by Australian government for the Passam-Maprik road.

Governor Bird fired two important questions to the Treasurer, redirected to Works and Highways Minister Solon Mirisim, was regarding the important Passam to Maprik road, which serves local farmers of Vanilla and Cocoa.

Bird’s supplementary question directed to the Treasurer and Mirisim came after Maprik MP Liberty Kapris aired concerns over the delayed funding of the Passam-Maprik road last year.

“Could the Treasurer confirm or deny that the initial funding for that road was courtesy of the Australian people through the Australian government and there was a hundred million grant that came out almost four years ago earmarked for this particular project,” Bird asked Stuckey.

“Therefore, as far as I understand, the funding is not connected, it's supposed to be the Australian government funding.”

Bird told Parliament that a Papua New Guinean contractor was recommended by the NPC and the TSSP for approval by National Executive Council.

But, the contract was awarded to a Chinese contract which compromised the project.

“NEC, in its wisdom, decided to choose a Chinese contractor in order to take back PNG,” Bird said.

“So could the Treasurer confirm or deny if the Australians have therefore withdrawn the one hundred million tune-up because they are not in the business of funding Chinese contractors.”

Works Minister responded to governor Bird by admitting that government had given the contract to China Wu Yi company.

Bird said East Sepik has been waiting for this road contract for almost six years now and government’s delay in releasing funds is now a serious concern.