WORKERS of Asimana bridge maintenance contract have demanded the contractor and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) to pay up their outstanding payments by the end of this month.
The workers had already completed the bridge repair works but no payments were given to them since early June this year.
Reports reaching Solomon Star Auki said several attempts made to MID and the local contractor to settle the payment were ignored.
Auki police had also warned the contractor to settle its workers’ payments.
Speaking to Solomon Star, chief Paul Mariano of Aimana area said 14 workers were still without their pay since early June this year.
Chief Mariano expressed concern that failure to solve the issue may have some negative impact.
The Solomon Star understood MID had already settled the sub-contractor believed to be a local man living at Fana’a/Bona in west Kwaio.
On Friday public transport in that area could not make it to ward 25/26 areas in West Kwaio due to a road block on the bridge.
This affected farmers and business people in West Kwaio who were dependent on transport reliability for their business.
The disgruntled workers demanded the contractor and MID to settle their outstanding payments quickly to allow vehicles to use the bridge.
Attempts to contact MID for comments were unsuccessful.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
in Auki