Connect PNG Program

K261 million paid to 20 contractors

The presentation conference occurred at the Department of Works Headquarters as six international contractors and 14 national contractors, were applauded for their duty under the Connect PNG Programme.

Works and Highways Minister Solan Mirisim confirmed that all invoices acquired from these contractors have undergone multiple auditing processes, and hence have been cleared for payment.

Minister to present ‘Connect PNG’ report

The list will introduce roads previously not under the program. By doing this, the national government will truly be taking the Connect PNG program nationwide by including roads in all 22 provinces.

The Minister was responding to questions posed by the member for North Fly James Donald. Donald was querying the actual monetary value of the Connect PNG program and the funding source of the Tabubil-Telefomin road, claiming that funds from the Ok Tedi Mining Limited  Tax Credit Scheme were used in building the Tabubil Telefomin highway.

Nawaeb to be connected

Prime Minister James Marape made the commitment to the people of Nawaeb yesterday at Boana Station.

A main road will be built from Wain to Erap, past Boana to Nabak and connecting to the Finschhafen road.

Supporting the Works Minister, Solan Mirisim’s announcement, PM Marape told locals – who had gathered at Boana Station yesterday to witness the launch of their five-year development plan – that funding will be allocated starting next year to link Nawaeb to Finschhafen and Lae.

Iduhu Raises Concerns Over Connect PNG Program

Iduhu in a statement stressed that the government's immediate focus should be on improving district and provincial roads, enhancing social services, and boosting local economies, rather than forging ahead with the ambitious project.

Pomaleu: Project designed to improve connectivity

Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu informed participants of the High Level Seminar Workshop held recently in Port Moresby, the importance of the projects.

He said access to quality basic services for our more than 1,000,000 people living in rural areas is often very difficult and the difficulties that they face is very different from those who live in towns and cities.

Mirisim clears air on Sirinumu road funding

Minister for Works and Highways, Solan Mirisim made this remarks when responding to MP for Hiri Koiari, Keith Iduhu’s recent media statement about a K30 million that was allocated to the Sogeri Road upgrade and maintenance works in 2014.

Iduhu alleged that the money was misused and that Department of Works and Highways was asked to clear the air.

Mirisim after confirming with the Department of Works Highways record that despite commitment made at that time by the National Government in 2014, there was no funds allocated. 

Road link vital

In supporting Prime Minister, James Marape’s commitments to connect Papua New Guinea in the next 20 years, Minister for Works and Highways, Solan Mirisim told the people of Western Province that the Trans-Fly missing links are part of the ‘Connect PNG Program’.

This will see 5.6 percent of the countries annual budget over the next 20 years go towards upgrading existing roads and building new ones to connect the whole country to the main road from Wutung Border in Sandaun all the way to Alotau in Milne Bay Province. 

Indonesia Indicates Support To PNG

This assistance will cover infrastructural development that should also elevate the economic corridor development concept as a major drive towards restructuring the PNG economy into a broad-based sustainable economy.

Prime Minister James Marape is currently in Indonesia to meet with the Indonesian President, President Joko Widodo to discuss these agendas.

 

Trans Island Connectivity In 2022 Workplan

“Our first priority is to fix the priority regional highways and build the missing links connecting the Momase and the Highlands regions, to the Southern Region,” explained Secretary for Works & Highways David Wereh, during the launch of the Connect PNG 2022 Workplan.

Infrastructural growth discussed

The Treasurer said the Marape-Basil Government has a deep understanding of the transport needs of the people of PNG, adding often, the focus of transport infrastructure is around road construction, linking towns and villages across PNG.

“The PNG Connect program is indeed working to finally link both sides of the mainland as well as around the coastal areas and within islands,” he stated.