Story and pictures supplied by ENNIO KUBLE

Steady progress have been made during the Easter period to free-up the mega landslip that covered the length of 100 meters of Sikola section of Gumine road in Simbu province.

Gumine deputy district administrator John Gull said he was happy for the united stand taken by leaders and community to have the Sikola section cleared.

“We have a coordinated effort here with our political leaders, the provincial and district administrations, civil organisations, the Australia and PNG Defence Force joint operation, and the communities,” Gull said.

Supervisors on site, said clearance was made to the epi-center, about 50 meters, where debris as high as 20 meters covered three houses and buried 10 people including a pregnant mother on 12th March.

“Once the clearance is made, the 30 kilometers road restoration program will begin at Sikola,” Gull said

Simbu Governor, Noah Kool rallied together K3.3 million and the provincial administration had taken charge of the disaster relief and restoration efforts in the province since March 13.

Gumine MP and Minister for Education Lucas Dawa Dekena, also provided K5 million in support of the restoration program in the district.

He said the relatives of the 10 people buried in the landslide allowed work to progress on the landslip area, and the workmen are working hard to clear up the debris..

Gumine is one of several areas worst affected with the main roadlink cut off to an estimated 50,000 population with another 50,000 people in Salt-Nomane sub-district of Karamui, and Mt Au in Jiwaka province.

Gull said for Gumine the priority is to make the road that is battered, butchered, and pasted with debris along 50 different sections of Gumine road cleared.

Meanwhile, the Civil Engineer to Gumine Works Unit, Ali Junior Kee said work is progressing well to remove the debris from the road.

“We are mobilising equipment from other places to beef our fleet of earthmoving machines to clear up the road starting from Sikola – Wara Sua, to Olegain, and from Gaima ringroad to Onule.

“Hopefully by this week, we will start work into Gumine,” said Junior Kee.

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