Govt signs K480m road upgrading in SHP and Enga

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE government has signed a K480 million road upgrading and sealing projects in Southern Highlands and Enga.
Minister for Works and Transport Francis Awesa said the two road projects valued at K480 million would benefit people in three provinces – Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela.
The signing of the project between the Asian Development Bank and the government took place last week at Government House in Port Moresby.
ADB will grant a financing loan of K297.6 million (62%) while the government pays K182.4 million (38%).
He said the project was arranged so that improvement and maintenance works were combined in the same contract.
The Department of Works will undertake the improvement works while the National Road Authority (NRA)will take care of the maintenance for the next 10 years after improvement works are completed.
The NRA will finance the maintenance component.
The road projects will benefit communities along the borders of Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela provinces.
“The government recognises that without physical access, rural communities face much greater obstacles in obtaining health, education and other social services.
“The government firmly believes that the road projects will have significant potential for the use of local resources, create decent jobs, support the local economy and strengthen business activities which will have direct implications on poverty eradication and local economic and social development in the affected areas,” Awesa said.
The road will also serve as an alternative route to the main Mendi to Tari road. The people will also have access to an alternate route to Mendi or Tari.
It will link up the Gulf -Southern Highlands highway and have access to the seaport at Kikori via Kisenpoi, Erave and Semberinki, a route which is shorter than going to Lae Port.