By DENNIS ORERE
THE phase three civil works of the rehabilitation of maritime navigation aids system projectwas handed over to the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) by the Department of Transport, at the PNG Ports Corporation Limited premises last Friday.
Secretary for Transport Henry Parakei, Curtain Brothers general manager Colin Millar, NMSA general manager Chris Rupen, other guests and members of the media were present at the hand-over ceremony.
The contract was for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of 55 lighthouses along more than 1,000 km of coastline, and was completed last September 17.
“Maintenance and responsibilities for these lighthouses will be handed over and undertaken by NMSA as of today. Funds for these lighthouses will come from revenue generated by the lighthouse users,” Mr Parakei said.
Mr Rupen said phase 3 was in addition to the navigation lights done under Phase one Milne Bay, and Phase two New Guinea Islands, which NMSA took over full responsibility during the past two years.
He said the handover of phase three marked the completion of over 90% of the network covered by the project, with only the navigational aids in Bougainville (phase four) remained to be done, and the process had commenced already with Nawae/AMS Joint Venture being awarded the task at a cost of K7.4million.
“In taking over the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of this vital government infrastructure, NMSA recognises that it is important to ensure sustainability in the operation of the network as this will facilitate safe, reliable and economic shipping operations on the domestic trade, as well as international trade,” he said.
He said while the Community Engagement Program (CEP) is working well, there was a lot yet to be done to mitigate vandalism and NMSA would continue to interact with the communities and build upon the approach established under the project.
Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Don Polye, who was not present at the ceremony, said in a press statement that the phase three contract was signed in December 2006 with Curtain Brothers valued at K12.45million.
Mr Polye said phase 2 civil works, completed in July 2006, maintained and constructed 65 lighthouse sites at a cost of K14.2 million while phase 1 (completed in 2005) involved rehabilitation, maintenance and construction of 38 lighthouse sites at the cost of K14.1million.
He said 2-year maintenance contracts were signed for phases 1and 2 with Nawae Construction and AMS Joint Venture.