Government looks at special funds for roads

THE Government is looking at sustainable funding sources to support road maintenance and expansion needs in the country because the budget is not sufficient each year, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says.
Announcing a major road subsector reform in Port Moresby last week, the prime minister highlighted that the Government was looking at establishing a competent and accountable road management programme responsible for the long-term maintenance and development of major economic roads.
He said the other component of the reform would be to rejuvenate the Works Plant and Transport Division (PTD) to deliver efficient and sustainable maintenance of provincial and district roads in cooperation with provincial and district authorities.
“Past governments had neglected and dismantled the Works Plant and Transport Division (PDT),” O’Neill said.
“This has resulted in almost a total collapse in road maintenance programmes in all provinces, adding to the ever-increasing maintenance backlog that now stands at an astounding K3 billion.
“That is why our Government will re-establish the Works PTD to ensure provincial and district roads are fully maintained, and that our rural people will have greater access to social services and economic opportunities.”
The prime minister said a minimum of K898 million each year would be required over the next five years to maintain the national network on long-term performance-based contracts.
“This is in addition to a minimum of K87 million per year for the next five years to restore Works PTD units in each district throughout the country,” he said.