Locals to find jobs in port project

HUNDREDS of locals will be employed when the construction of the Lae port starts next month.
Independence Public Business Corporation managing director Thomas Abe said construction should begin on May 8 as agreed to in a meeting of stakeholders in Lae on Wednesday.
“It was a very good meeting and agreed on a number of important ground rules for construction,” Abe said.
“Clarification of a range of issues and commitments, including employing local workers, was achieved, allowing us to set the date for the start of construction.
“The start of this project, worth more than K700 million, is very significant.
“It will make a big contribution to the development of the Momase region, particularly in the resources, industrial and agricultural sectors.”
Present at the meeting were representatives of IPBC, the contractor China Harbour Engineering, consultant engineers Korean Engineering Consultant Corporation, the Asian Development Bank and PNG Ports Corporation Limited. The meeting was chaired by Abe.
Construction work, expected to be completed in 2015, includes a tidal basin, a berth and a terminal.