Groundwork for uni begins

 By ELLEN TIAMU

CONSTRUCTION work will begin this week on the first double-storey building for the Lutheran University of PNG (LUPNG) in Lae, Morobe. 

Head Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG (ELCPNG) Giegre Wenge planted the first wooden peg to mark the start of work at the new campus next to the Martin Luther Seminary.

Nosrida Ltd has been contracted to oversee construction and PNG Metal Fabricators are project sub-contractors. 

The first stage of the state-of-the-art university project is expected to cost K40.6 million with total expenditure expected at K190 million.

Then acting Prime Minister Sam Abal officiated at the campus’ ground-breaking ceremony two years ago.

The project will include classrooms, dormitories and an office complex.

As well as other courses, the theology programme currently offered at the Martin Luther Seminary will also be a beneficiary of this development.

Executive officer of the LUPNG establishment committee Dr Brent Kilback said work would progress faster as soon as funding was made available.

He said with the onset of the PNG Games next year and Pacific Games in 2015, work on sports facilities on the new campus would take precedence. 

Officials could not give an exact time of completion of the university project.