Project on track: Mano

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By GYNNIE KERO
THE Star Mountain Plaza project in Port Moresby is expected to be completed two months before the Apec meeting starts next year, according to the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC).
The project is a partnership between the Hilton Group, the Government and MRDC’s subsidiaries, including the Mineral Resource Star Mountain, Mineral Resource OK Tedi and Petroleum Resource Kutubu.
MRDC managing director Augustine Mano said the Star Mountain Plaza comprised two phases at a total cost of K1.2 billion.
Brian Elridge, the managing director of the project managing company Stratum Unlimited Ltd, said the first stage of the project would be completed by September next year. This includes the Hilton Hotel, Convention Centre, combined facilities and the car park.
The second stage will be the construction of the Hilton residential tower with 200 apartments.
It will be completed after the Apec meeting.
“We are now 18 months from completion,” he said.
“What we are building in stage one is the Hilton hotel which is a 212-room five-star hotel facility which connects to the Kutubu Convention Centre.
The completion is Sept 15, 2018.
“We are well advanced,” he said.
“Construction of the facility is now at a stage where we passed all the critical elements.
“We have more than 4.3km of service cabling and pipeline combined facilities.
“The hotel (Hilton) will be at its full height in October this year. The convention centre roof will be later on this year. What you see now is half of the hotel size.”
Mano said he heard the US Embassy last week asking if the Hilton would be ready.