ExxonMobil to develop sections of highway

ExxonMobil will be investing K150 million to upgrade two sections of the Highlands Highway over the next three years.

This follows an agreement with the National Government recently

ExxonMobil Managing Director, Andrew Barry, announced this during the Australia-PNG Business Council Forum in Port Moresby.

The sections to be upgraded include Hanumbu Junction to Goli, then Goli to Komo.

“These sections will be upgraded to national highway standards including two-lane sealed highway, upgrading bridges and crossings where needed, and improving the drainage to help mitigate against water damage to road formations,” Barry said.

The sealing of the sections would improve logistics for ExxonMobil, especially with the location of the Komo Airfield and the Hides Gas Conditioning Plant in Hela Province.

It will also benefit the local communities living along the corridors.

“We also recognise that the upgrade to the highlands highway is important to the continued economic development of local communities. The highway remains one of several transportation routes used by PNG LNG and other local businesses,” Barry said.

Meanwhile, he also announced that progress is being made on an additional 50 megawatt power project that would be supplied to the Port Moresby grid.

ExxonMobil currently generates 20 megawatts of power which it supplies to the Port Moresby power grid.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole