Highway to get K100mil upgrade

PRIME Minister James Marape MP announced a K100 million upgrade programme for the Hiritano Highway from the National Capital District to Central and Gulf.
The announcement was made in Kerema on Monday after the launching of the Ihu Special Economic Zone (ISEZ) and other projects in Kikori.
Marape also announced a funding of K5million for Kerema town roads, K100,000 from the National Gaming Control Board to upgrade the Kerema Rugby League Oval and K20,000 to support the local basketball competition.
“The Government will support many of the upcoming resource projects like Papua LNG and Pasca, and others like the Ihu Special Economic Zone in the Gulf province,” he said.
“The upgrading to the last stretch of the Hiritano Highway that links Kerema is part of a K100 million road upgrade programme funded by World Bank and the PNG Government.
“We are getting the last stretch of the road linking Malalaua to Kerema and other sections that have deteriorated in parts of Central province, upgraded and re-constructed.”
Marape said it would be funded with a loan of K70 million from the World Bank that was being approved.
The Government will chip in K30 million to have the last stretch of the road to Kerema fixed and sealed.
“By this time next year, the contractors will be working on upgrading and reconstructing work on the last stretch of the highway that has deteriorated and not sealed into Kerema,” Marape said.
“The Government is coming here today with another commitment of K5million for the Kerema town roads. The Works Department has asked the Gulf supply and tenders board to issue the tender, and once it is approved, it will engage a contractor to work on the road to give a facelift and restore some identity and belongingness.”
Marape also appealed to the people of Kerema to go into fishing, gardening, agriculture and small-medium enterprises (SMEs).