Focus on meeting standards

**The construction of the second phase of the cancer centre at the Port Moresby General Hospital. – Picture courtesy of PORT MORESBY GENERAL HOSPITAL**

By LULU MARK
THE third phase of the construction of a cancer centre at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) needs to start as soon as the second phase ends next month, the hospital’s chief executive officer says.
Dr Paki Molumi said phase two was progressing well and on schedule but they were still waiting for the National Procurement Commission (NPC) board to award the third phase of the construction.
He said given the urgent need for the project to continue uninterrupted to meet international standards, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) helped when Government funding was delayed.
Molumi said phase two was funded by KPHL with K10 million and was expected to be completed next month.
“Phase three must continue from phase two without interruption,” he said.
“Phase three is critical and in order to meet the set International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and must commence immediately after phase two ends.
“Phase three will cost up to K47 million.
“The Government appropriated K50 million for phase three in this year’s budget.
“It’s a single project but divided in phases to suit annual Government funding.”
Molumi the cancer centre was a highly technical project in the health sector.
Construction started in 2018.