More engineers manage projects

 By BEATRICE BONAKOYA

MORE young Papua New Guinean engineers are taking up roles in managing procurement and construction in the aviation industry, prompting the Asian Development Bank to provide more funding.

ADB country director Marcello Minc highlighted this at the inauguration of the Jackson International Airport wing extension.

The project came under the ADB US$480 million (K1.1 billion) Civil Aviation development improvement programme (CADIP).

“We have seen young PNG engineers take up greater roles in managing complex procurement and construction work under this programme and we have been partners in these efforts,” Minc said.

Phase one of  the programme has seen the upgrade of airports in Port Moresby, Mt Hagen in Western Highlands, Gurney in Alotau and Kavieng in New Ireland.

The extended wing at Jackson Airport will ease congestion of aircraft that caused flight delays.

Civil Aviation Minister Davis Stevens announced the government’s approval of phase two of CADIP last week.

This will see more work at the airports in West Sepik, Chimbu, Northern, Bougainville, East New Britain, Manus, Madang and Morobe.

The programme will enable the PNG Air Transport Services Ltd to improve air communication and surveillance systems.

Minc commended the government and the National Airports Corporation for the completion of the first phase of CADIP.