Lae, Morobe Province, PNG, 24th September, 2015 – The Lae Botanic Gardens are abuzz with activity the likes of which the gardens haven’t seen in years. Dekenai Constructions Ltd. have come on board as a major sponsor of the Advancement Program and have wasted no time in supplying machinery, workers and engineering expertise to regrade all the roads within the gardens, create new car park areas and lend a helping hand with rubbish and wood removal, drainage, clearing waterways and much more.
The work has been undertaken over the last two weeks and is currently continuing intermittently in many areas within the gardens. Dekenai have provided labour with 10 employees, and several machines including a grader, tipper trucks, backhoe and roller to improve the road network and create more space for vehicles to park and drive once the gardens reopen. Prior to Dekenai’s input, some roads were unusable due to degradation and potholes, and areas for parking were overgrown. Now, with their support and expertise, the gardens have space for approximately 50+ cars, the roads have been levelled, widened and in some cases cleared so as to be usable again. Having heavy machinery in the gardens has also meant Dekenai have been able to assist in clearing garden rubbish, widen and clean up the overgrown waterways and transport gravel and dirt to areas in need.
Delilah Yagama, the Lae Senior Projects Engineer with Dekenai Constructions Ltd. has been overseeing the work in the gardens and is happy with the progress made, ‘Dekenai have been working in Lae for the last 7 years and it really motivates us to be able to give something back to the Lae community. The guys really enjoy working here and I love coming to visit, it is a peaceful and beautiful place to work, so we want the rest of the community to be able to enjoy it as well.’
Dekenai will also assist in the much-needed upgrading of a bridge within the gardens and have pledged to do what they can to continue assisting the Advancement Program. As Dave Howell, Dekenai’s regional manager said, ‘Dekenai’s founders have a long history of working in PNG and it is very much part of our company mission and values to support the communities in which we work as much as we can.’
Dr. Martin Golman, Acting Director of the PNG Forest Research Institute has been overwhelmed by the assistance stating, ‘the change in the gardens in just two short weeks is incredible. Dekenai have not only fixed areas that have long needed fixing, but also improved them to ensure the gardens will function better than ever when reopened. Their generosity of providing time, expertise and labour to the progression of the Advancement Program has gone a long way in restoring the gardens to their former glory. Our team are more inspired than ever to get these gardens opened, as we can’t wait for people to see the improvements. Our heartfelt thanks to Dekenai for their continued support.’
Dekenai Constructions Ltd. is a civil engineering contractor with vast experience in carrying out civil works in Papua New Guinea. Since its incorporation in 1995, Dekenai Constructions Limited has built and maintained its reputation as a major Civil Engineering Contractor, specialising in the construction of roads, bridges, drainage structures, pavement and sealing works. For more information see http://www.dekenai.com.pg/.
