Minister for Transport and Infrastructure

The new Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Westly Nukundj, and Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Benedict David, today signed the deal.

The two-year partnership arrangement between Papua New Guinea and Australia to November 2019 will support the Department to deliver more effectively on its mandate to improve transport connectivity for all Papua New Guineans. 

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Malakai Tabar, said this during the launching of the Road Traffic Authority Corporate Plan 2017 – 2019.

Minister Tabar said while having road infrastructure was a critical element of development, its proper use and regulation was of paramount importance as well.

“The changes in land transport has been overdue for some time. This organisation, RTA, effectively comes up at a time when there is a strong need for coordinated planning to always improve our road and transport usage.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Malakai Tabar says safety standards and safety compliance cannot be traded off against other aspects of government’s spending in the air transport sub-sector.

Tabar said that through this policy statement, Government requires the aviation entities, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), National Airports Corporation (NAC) and PNG Air Services Limited (PNGASL) to make passenger safety first priority.

He said advancement in technology calls for the upgrade of the navigation system using satellite technology.

The meeting will take place in Port Moresby on October 9 to 13, 2017 with over 20 Ministerial Committees expected to attend.

Minister for Sport, National Events and APEC, Justin Tkatchenko and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Malakai Tabara announced this at the Manasupe Haus today.

Minister Tabar says the hosting of the Transportation Ministerial Meeting will provide the opportunity to advance Transportation issues which are of great concern to the nation and the APEC region.