Australia provides K26mil grant for Morobe road

THE Australian government has provided a K26 million project preparation grant for the Trans-National Highway from 9-Mile junction in Lae to Poiyu turnoff in Menyamya, Morobe.
The project was officially launched by Australian minister for international development and Pacific, senator Zed Seselja, PNG Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil, Works Minister Michael Nali and other dignitaries in Lae on Tuesday.
Senator Seselja said the funding would cover feasibility studies, designs and procurement support towards the Trans-National Highway.
He said infrastructure development enabled a country to drive the economy forward and the initiative the Australian government was taking came under the national government’s Connect PNG economic infrastructure development programme.
“Australia and PNG are committed to driving economic growth through boosting business activity and one of this is to have a good road network system,” he said. He said Australia was happy to support the project to rehabilitate road infrastructure and construct the Trans-National Highway.
“High quality constructed roads contribute to safer roads, easier commuting and further add to economic growth and prosperity and that is something that we have a shared vision for between the two governments and their people.”
Basil, also Bulolo MP, said the Trans-National Highway was vital for the economy and business in Morobe and the country.
He said this was the Marape Government’s first priority from the connect PNG programme.
Basil said Lae was the country’s industrial hub and the gateway to the Highlands and Mamose regions and with the Trans-National Highway would stimulate at least K500 million in projects and programmes along its corridor.
“Be assured that this road is a strategic investment,” he said.
“Its value and contribution to the social and economic life in PNG will be long-lasting.”

From left: Australian minister for international developmen
t and the Pacific senator Zed Seselja, Deputy Prime Minister
Sam Basil,Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu and Works Min
ister Michael Nali cutting the ribbon to mark the launching
of the project at 9-Mile outsideLae on Tuesday.
– Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW