Work on centre resumes

WORK at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s (PMGH) modern cancer centre project has recommenced, thanks to Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL). Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said after the completion of the first phase of the project, which was the construction of the two bunkers to house the linear accelerator cancer treatment machines last Dec 19, work had stopped due to a lack of funding. Dr Molumi said the second phase was the construction of the structure of the centre. He said this would be followed by the engineering phase and then sourcing of equipment, but the budgeted K10 million from the Government had not been released. “KPHL has come on board with K7.39 million for the structural component of the project,” he said. “So work has recommenced and we thank KPHL. This cancer centre, once completed, will be equal to any cancer facility in the world.”Dr Molumi commended the PMGH board and management for their work with the contractor and the project management team to ensure the Government project was delivered. He clarified that the delay in the work had not been due to the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, adding that the delay was all because of funding issues.Dr Molumi said the total cost of the entire project was K58.3 million.