By GINNAH MINI
The Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) with the Institute of Engineers PNG Inc. and PNG Road Fund hosted the Inaugural Construction and Contractors Conference today- a landmark event uniting industry leaders, policymakers, contractors, and innovators to shape Papua New Guinea’s construction future.
The theme of the two-day conference is “Building the Nation: innovation, collaboration and sustainable infrastructures” which is the agenda for transforming the construction industry for the next 50 years.
Secretary for Works and Highways Gibson Holemba, in his welcome address, said that the inaugural conference will continue for the years to come and will shape the construction industry so that better construction can be built to support the growth of the nation’s economy.
Mr Holemba said that the contractors, engineers and partners gathered for the conference are here to provide solutions to constructions complaints and problems.
Minister for Works and Highways Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, in his keynote speech, said the department had over 50,000km of road infrastructure to build meanwhile they are working on the first 20 000 km.
“Hopefully when we build these roads, it will help our economy grow because we are unlocking our qualities,” Minister Tsiamalili said.
He told the engineers and contractors that he is interested in the longevity of the quality of the road they build, instead of mere words.
“When we build these roads, we know that we help the health and education sector and everything that we engage with and what we are doing is for the prosperity of our country.”
The Minister said the Government must ensure that PNG contractors were equipped with the skills, knowledge, financial capacity and institutional support needed to complete and deliver quality infrastructural projects.
He urged them to work with the Government for the betterment of the country.
Mr Tsiamalili said the conference would help shape future infrastructure under the Connect PNG Program.