THE Marape-Rosso Government has pumped in an additional K300million under the Connect PNG programme to carry on the progress of all the road networks in the country.
In a statement, Minister for Works and Highways Solan Mirism said that this additional funding will maintain the good progress made so far on the ongoing works under the Connect PNG Program.
He said the funding is part of the government’s vision to achieve 100% road connectivity for PNG by 2040 under the Connect PNG Economic Road Infrastructure Development Programme 2020-2040.
He said the additional package is part of the K600 million appropriated for the capital works in the 2022 budget.
He said this funding will kick start up-grading works on six more critical sections of the national road network on the Manus (East-West Highway), the new Britain Highway (East and West New Britain), the Magi Highway (Central and Milne Bay), the Ramu Highway (East and West Sepik section).
Mirisim said the Connect PNG Program is applicable to all four regions, provinces and districts as projects are being implemented across the country.
He expressed his satisfaction on the overall progress of the Connect PNG Program, attributing the progress of the Government’s strong leadership and funding commitment from our donor and development partners to fill the funding gap.
He commended the government for recognising the important role of the transport infrastructure in providing connectivity for our urban and rural communities, businesses and industries.
He said the Marape government has taken on the initiative to improve the roading infrastructures that had been left to deteriorate over the last 20 years.
Mirisim said the total cost for the Connect PNG program is K20 billion that will cover a 20-year period from 2020-2040.
