Human rights case on Madang’s bad road conditions begins
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Justice Minister Bryan Kramer is the first to testify in Madang’s human rights case
Human rights case on Madang’s bad road conditions begins
PORT MORESBY: Madang’s human rights case in which 17 leaders,
officials and individuals were summoned by Justice David Cannings kicked off on
Friday (Jan 14, 2022).
Justice Minister Bryan Kramer testified that road works
on the 5.2km Modilon Road was progressing well but weather conditions were
delaying the completion.
Among the leaders summoned on June 10 by Human Rights
judge Justice Cannings to explain
the bad road conditions in Madang town was Madang
Governor Peter Yama.
For
context read this previous report: https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2021/06/yama-kramer-among-16-summoned-by.html
(Yama, Kramer among
16 summoned by National Court)
https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2021/10/judge-warns-madang-gov-peter-yama-and.html
(Judge warns Madang
Gov Peter Yama and others)
Details of the court proceedings were published by The National:
Road work
going well: MP
January 17, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
By SYLVESTER WEMURU
JUSTICE Minister Bryan Kramer has told a court that construction work on the
5.2km Modilon Road is progressing well but there are problems delaying the
completion of the road.
However, when asked whether he was an expert on road construction, Kramer said:
“I am not an expert. But if the experts find that the road is not built up to
the standard, then they need to bring the dispute to court.”
Kramer was testifying before Human Rights judge Justice David Cannings on
Friday in which Kramer and 16 respondents have been summoned to explain the bad
road conditions in Madang town in a notice issued by the judge on June 10.
Kramer said the road was being constructed by Madang District Works and
Equipment Ltd, a company owned by the Madang District Development Authority.
“Weather is one of biggest problems that they face that is slowing down work.
The other problem that the company is facing is equipment for construction
work,” he said.
“The first part of the road had been sealed which is the front part of
Andersons Foodland.
“Engineers were engaged to carry out testing on the soil before the road was
constructed and I believe that the road works meet the standard.”
Kramer was crossed examined by Works Department lawyer Jonathan Saka who asked
whether he was an expert on road construction and soil testing.
Saka asked Kramer: “How sure are you about the quality of the road works being
done?”
Kramer responded: “I am not an expert but if the experts find that the road is
not being built to standard, then they need to bring it to the court.”
Saka told Kramer that there were still some outstanding debts to pay to the
Works Department for using their machines.
Kramer said he had requested for them to provide the invoices for him to
arrange payment.
He also told the court that some section of the Modilon Road would be completed
end of April.
Justice Cannings told those present that he would be flexible with the case and
wanted the responsible authorities to work together to complete the road.
He then adjourned the matter to Thursday for the parties named in the
proceedings to give evidence.
In June, Justice Cannings issued various orders that included that the
roadworks on the most dilapidated sections of Modilon Road, Handy Mart
Junction, Modilon Hospital, Tusbab Secondary School and Andersons Foodland
shall be completed by Oct 17, 2021.
And roadworks on other sections of Modilon Road shall be completed in
accordance with further orders of the court.
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