Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is confident that the National Road Network Strategy which will be launch in the near future will benefit the business houses and the communities in the country.
He said the National Road Network Strategy is a rational, three-phase approach to the rehabilitation and maintenance of Papua New Guinea’s roads infrastructure.
“The timeframe for the strategy is the next 20 years, focusing on investment projects which deliver the greatest social and economic return.
“The success of the NRNS very much depends on adequate and reliable multi-year funding for long-term performance based contracts.
“This will be the main procurement model for the maintenance, development and expansion works needed to restore the national road network to 50 per cent ‘good’ and 50 per cent ‘fair’ condition level within the 20-year period beginning in 2018.”
Mr O’Neill said the absence of effective maintenance in the past has cost the nation billions of kina in lost infrastructure and has contributed to our economy not realizing its full potential.
“We must ensure our investment in existing infrastructure is secured for future generations.
“That means prioritising maintenance for our priority roads for service delivery.
“By doing so we can grow the economy and maximize our people’s participation in the development of our economy.”
PM O’Neill said businesses and communities can take great comfort from the Strategy and the measures being introduced to ensure its success.
“The Government’s adoption of the National Road Network Strategy is the first step on the path to the real recovery of Papua New Guinea’s roads.”