Officers scan area

 OFFICIALS from AusAID and the Government are in Lae to begin surveys on two infrastructure projects agreed to by prime ministers Peter O’Neill and Kevin Rudd earlier this month. 

The delegation, including AusAID health experts, have started inspections for the upgrading of the Angau Hospital in Lae, met the hospital board and inspected capital works requirements.

The officials and engineers will then travel to Madang to conduct an assessment of capital works requirements for the upgrading of the Ramu Highway. This scoping work is being jointly conducted with the Works Department. 

Work is underway to inspect the development of the Lower Courts complex in Port Moresby. Senior AusAID officers met with the Chief Magistrate on Monday to discuss draft terms of reference for the project.

AusAID head of aid to PNG, Stuart Schaefer, said these important projects were a demonstration of the strong partnership between the two nations.