Development partner announces strong results

THE Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) portfolio of projects in PNG this year has delivered strong results, according to its 2019 review.
It noted that its portfolio of 18 active projects in the country, worth about US$1.71 billion (K5.7billion) had been making good progress and achieving results, particularly in the transport, energy and health sectors.
ADB country director for PNG David Hill said: “Working with the Government, the achievements we have seen in 2019, particularly in the transport, health and energy sectors are a testament to our long-term partnership.
However, much more needs to be done in 2020, and we look forward to helping the Government achieve their development targets.”
ADB remained committed in assisting the Government and PNG Power Ltd with its development plans to increase energy access to 70 per cent of the population by 2030.
The proposed US$295 million (K985.3 million) power sector development project is a new project being processed, which aims to expand transmission and distribution networks in the country’s three main grids: Port Moresby, Ramu in Madang and Gazelle in Rabaul.
The ADB-supported town electrification investment programme, meanwhile, continued to help improve power supply in targeted provinces by replacing high-cost diesel power with clean and renewable energy generation.
ADB also made inroads in infrastructure development, with all initial contracts awarded last December registering good initial progress, particularly on the 430-kilometer “sustainable highlands highway investment programme”.