Aust to give K1.48bil for ports

AUSTRALIA is to provide AU$580 million (about K1.48 billion) in financial support for the refurbishment and upgrading of ports around Papua New Guinea.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in Sydney, and Prime Minister James Marape, in Port Moresby, signed the agreement virtually on Friday.
Morrison said deals with PNG were about enabling its sovereignty and independence, and its self-sufficiency.
All port facilities in the country had been built by the Australian colonial administration in the 60s and 70s.
Most had fallen into disrepair because of a lack of funding over the years.
Morrison said 30 per cent of the funding would be spent on local contractors – an injection of foreign capital to help boost the PNG economy in the Coronavirus recovery period.
He told of how his grandfather used to unload food supplies at the Port Moresby harbour during the Second World War.
“My grandfather knew that harbour very well,” Morrison said.
“He served in Port Moresby during the Second World War unloading supply ships on that dock in Port Moresby.
“Australians will never forget what the people of Papua New Guinea did for Australia at that time.
“There is a debt that runs deep and that family partnership was established firmly during those days, particularly in the Kokoda campaign, Milne Bay, Finschhafen and many others.”
Morrison said the deal “strengthens Australia’s enduring friendship with PNG through a fiscally sustainable partnership in quality port infrastructure”.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said: “Works will also include urgent repairs and upgrades for deteriorated coastal wharves that are up to 70 years old. By improving community access to healthcare, education and livelihoods, this partnership will make a real difference to people’s lives.”