THE Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) yesterday signed a contract worth more than K77 million to upgrade and seal a 26 kilometre section of the Madang Coastal Highway from Nubia to Bunapas in Madang Province under the Connect PNG Programme.
The National Executive Council approved the award of the 18-month contract to Dekenai Construction Limited, which was formalised by the Governor-General at Government House.
Speaking at the signing of the contract, Governor for Madang Province Ramsey Pariwa highlighted that the road will benefit people from Bogia District, Middle-Ramu District and Angoram in East Sepik Province.
“This is the first step that we are taking to connect the Momase Coastal corridor-so it will benefit the entire Momase Region,” Governor Pariwa said.
Governor Pariwa commended the Marape-Rosso Government for enabling the rehabilitation of the road, stating that he was looking forward towards the connectivity of Madang Coastal corridor.
Member for Bogia and Minister for InformationCommunication and Technology (ICT), Robert Naguri who also witnessed the signing, extended his appreciation to the Marape-Rosso Government for recognizing the economic road in Bogia District.
Minister Naguri also thanked DoWH for ensuring the contract has finally come to stage.
“This road is very important for us- for Angoram District in East Sepik Province and also for Middle-Ramu District, as we are all using these roads,” Minister Naguri said while acknowledging that the road was recognized as part of the National Highway.
Secretary for Works, Gibson Holemba said the project is fully funded by the national government under the Connect PNG Program.
“We will upgrade from current gravel road to a two-coat sealed, two-lane road with drainages and everything else, so that’s a national highway class,” Mr. Holemba said.
Secretary Holemba concluded that DoWH is looking forward to work with the contractor and to complete the road in the next 18 months.