Basin’s first phase complete

 THE first phase of an upgrade of Lae Port is complete, paving the way for a boost in cargo throughput at the country’s most important port,” Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director of PNG Resident Mission Marcelo Minc (pictured) said. 

ADB joined Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) and people of Lae yesterday to celebrate the completion of initial phase of the development project.

“ADB has maintained a long and active presence in PNG supporting priority infrastructure investments such as the Lae Port Development Project, which aims to boost inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth,” Marcelo Minc.

“The strong partnership between ADB, the Government of PNG, and IPBC resulted in the project being delivered ahead of time and on budget.”

He said the first phase upgrade will substantially boost the safety and efficiency of port operations with new facilities including a tidal basin, a multipurpose berth, and terminal works including buildings, storage areas, roads, drainage, water, electricity and sewerage services

“These improvements will significantly boost the port’s cargo-handling capacity.

The project is the largest ever undertaken by ADB in the Pacific, and Minc commended the government’s executing agency, IPBC, for successfully carrying out the first phase.

He noted that priority must now be to establish private sector management structures which can help Lae Port become a major regional hub serving the Pacific with improved capacity and operating efficiencies. Working closely with the private sector will help reduce the costs of doing business in PNG.