THE success of the Marape-Rosso Government’s Connect PNG Programme needs resolute efforts from all stakeholders, Works and Highway Minister Solan Mirisim says.
He said this is an important government’s flagship infrastructure development programme aimed at achieving 100% road connectivity accessibility of the country by 2040.
“I must tell you that it is no longer ‘business as usual’ given the economic situation under which the Connect PNG Programme is being implemented.
“This calls for a concerted effort in all aspects of delivering this important programme by all stakeholders to ensure its success,” Minister Mirisim said.
He made this statement during the opening of a high-level seminar workshop on Connect PNG policy coordination and monitoring at APEC House in Port Moresby last Friday.
The theme of the workshop was “Improving Connectivity Across Rural PNG through Policy Coordination and Monitoring”
Minister Mirisim said the workshop aims at overall policy context and stressed on the articulation of clear policy guidelines.
He said a clear policy guidelines provide effective coordination and monitoring in respect to the financing of Connect PNG Programme.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is no longer ‘business as usual’ given the economic situation under which the Connect PNG Programme is being implemented.
“As you all know, it is a 20-year programme that is estimated to cost K20 billion which is being implemented in three Phases.
“I acknowledge the Chief Secretary for organizing this Seminar Workshop so that the various aspects of programme delivery, more specifically for Connect PNG, are collectively discussed and documented.
“Whatever set of recommendations you provide will certainly assist my Secretary, to effectively and efficiently implement this programme which has a huge potential to change the development trajectory and eventually transform PNG,” Mirisim said.
“The Prime Minister just launched the fouth Medium Term Development Plan a week ago and it is not a coincidence that you are here as bureaucrats, with the able assistance of our development partners, tease out how best the Connect PNG Programme can effectively establish the foundation to jump start the path towards achieving the core development goals of the Plan.
“As I started my speech by stating that it is no longer business as usual, politicians like myself will depend very much on your advice to make informed and evidence-based policy decisions to ensure we continue to serve our people under the current economic situation.
“This calls for a paradigm shift in identifying development priorities and cost effectively implementing and diligently managing them.
“Our economists and financial experts must give us priorities based on prudent analysis to establish costs and benefits to ensure every investment decision made is; demand-driven, maximizes and generates higher returns on investment and generates value for money.”
The Minister said: “We all know that roads play a very critical facilitative and enabling role in development, the Connect PNG Programme funding must be guaranteed by a long-term financing plan.
“Guaranteed long-term financing is the main objective of the Connect PNG (Implementation and Funding Arrangement) Act 2021”.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Marape-Rosso government, Minister Mirisim acknowledge the commitment of the external development partners in all the sectors, but more importantly, in the road sector.
“You have been very faithful to the call to assist us to deliver our road projects.
“I kindly ask that you support the government to deliver the Connect PNG Programme so that we all can celebrate when PNG is fully connected by roads.”
