The refurbished Marea Haus which has been renamed as Sir Manasupe Haus is an iconic building where the country’s decisions and other important meetings took place more than 20 years ago.
Left to deteriorated by past governments, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill took a bold stand and called for its refurbishment.
During the official handover-takeover ceremony this afternoon in Port Moresby by Oil Search to the government, Oil Search Executive General Manager Gerea Aopi said the opening of the Sir Manasupe Haus signifies the importance of public private partners-the government working with the private sector to develop the country.
The former Marea Haus has been lying idle for many years and was an eye sore for this part of Port Moresby.
Aopi said Oil Search, as a PNG company believe, they have an obligation to help the government meet expectations and put something back into the communities.
“This is why we continue to build infrastructure, roads, carry out health programs, in partnership with the relevant governments and actively promote development of sustainable power options for communities across the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 12-storey building consist of on-site parking for more than 200 vehicles, back-up systems of power and water supply, a dedicated floor for media events and a generous ground floor area set up to welcome and meet the visitors.
The building project was managed by Oil Search Ltd.
In 2013, the Government appointed Oil Search as project manager for the refurbishment of Marea House that had fallen derelict.
The project was a flagship job for the National Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.