TODAY marks a significant milestone for the people of Nipa Kutubu, Southern Highlands, with the signing of a K371 million contract for the Kutubu Road project, covering 100.2km.
The contract was awarded to China Railway Construction and Engineering Group and signed by H.E. Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, on behalf of the State.
The project involves upgrading and sealing the road from the Highlands Highway Junction at Parita to Moro Gate and Kamiri Bridge in Southern Highlands Province.
The K371,510,087.97 contract, will be funded by the national government through the Connect PNG Program and the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, with contributions from Santos, ExxonMobil, and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.
Acting Secretary Holemba noted that this project will significantly enhance the Southern/Gulf Highway, an essential economic corridor to the Kutubu oilfields and the Southern Corridor into Kikori in Gulf Province.
Nipa Kutubu MP and Minister for Defence, Dr. Billy Joseph, emphasized the importance of timely completion and urged local communities to collaborate with the government and contractors.
“Today marks a milestone for my people because, after 34 years of supporting the oil and gas project, we will finally see the Kutubu road sealed,” Dr. Joseph said.
He added that this development is long overdue for the people who sacrificed their land for the oil and gas projects, making the road contract a significant achievement.
The National Executive Council approved the awarding of the contract to China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co. Limited, whose General Manager Lianan Chang and Deputy General Manager Sam Jia signed the agreement at Government House, witnessed by acting Secretary of the Department of Works & Highways, Gibson Holemba. The road is expected to be completed in 2027.
