North-West Guadalcanal landowner, Daniel Kikele, threatens to temporarily shut down the Tamboko bridge if the government fails to settle their remaining payments this week.
Landowner Kikele on Thursday told the Solomon Star that he will temporarily shut down the access bridge today because Ministry of Lands didn’t pay their land damage claims.
“The Permanent Secretary office of the Ministry of Lands didn’t complete the remaining partial payment based on our claims on the extended bridge.”
Kitano Construction has built a new access bridge recently near the old bridge after it was damaged by flooding.
Landowner Kikele said their claims are for damage of coconut, garden and herbal plants to pave way for the bridge construction.
“The lands office promised to pay us this week but when we query about it, they said there are no funds available at the moment.
“We have waited too long and by now our payments should be processed duly with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury,” Mr Kikele said.
“So this is my last call and failure for the government to do so by end of this week will see the bridge being shut down until the remaining payment are done.”
Ministry of lands PS cannot be reached for comments last night.
By TEDDY KAFO
