K13 million for road equipment

THE Japanese government is providing a K13 million grant for road construction equipment in four provinces – West Sepik, Manus, Milne Bay and Enga.
Japan’s ambassador to Papua New Guinea Kuniyuki Nakahara said his country was committed to work with PNG for the development and welfare of its people and road was one of the most important infrastructure to develop the country.
“Therefore, from 2013 to 2017, Japan had conducted cooperation of transferring its technical know-how for road construction equipment from time to time,” he said.
“The machines under the previous grant signed in 2019 had just arrived. It is a total of 18 (pieces of) equipment valued at K10 million.
“The grant is the outcome of the summit meeting between former Japan prime minster Yoshihide Suga and Prime Minister James Marape in June.”
Suga made a commitment to provide further grant assistance of 24 (pieces of) road construction equipment that included an excavator, a motor grader and a wheel loader.
“We are confident that these equipment will be utilised by the Works Department to maximum effect and maintained well for longterm,” he said.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Soroi Eoe said despite the Coronavirus (Covid-19) induced global economic slow-down and revenue contraction, Japan continued to provide assistance to PNG. He noted that Japan provided a K1 billion direct budget support early this year, followed by a K34 million grant assistance in rural electrification and now K13 million towards road equipment.