The Department of Works in Lae has received construction equipment worth K7 million.
The equipment, by the Government of Japan, through its Japanese International Cooperation System (JICS), will be used to clear road access during natural disasters such as floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions.
At a ceremony at Lae’s Department of Works National Rebuilt Centre, Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Nakajima handed the 15 pieces of construction equipment to Works Minister Michael Nali and Minister for Planning, Richard Maru.
Nali thanked the Japanese Government for its continued generosity.
He noted that Japan was a country prone to natural disasters as it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, as does PNG, and so it knew from firsthand experience how important these equipment are in times of disasters.
Meanwhile, Maru said the Japanese equipment fitted well with the current Government’s Alotau Accord II platform to link up all parts of the country through transport infrastructure.
The equipment comprises of 3 dozers, 3 front end loaders, 3 dump trucks and six excavators. They will be strategically placed at disaster prone and difficult to reach provinces such as Western, Sandaun, Madang, Southern Highlands and Oro.
Japan had earlier delivered 48 pieces of road construction equipment in 2014 for rural roads construction and maintenance.