By JOE GURINA
THE National Government’s Connect PNG Program is set to upgrade and improve national highways that are economically vital, including Hiritano (Central), Wau-Bulolo (Morobe), Buluminsky (New Ireland), Manus, Highlands, and the Sepik Coastal highways.
According to Works and Highways Minister, Solan Mirisim, the government has already improved and brought to ‘good’ condition 2,500km of roads by 2022, which is 50% of the target of 4, 200km.
Mirisim stressed the importance of these highways, which provide critical linkages for socio-economic development in the country.
He said the government has invested K700 million annually to upgrade and improve 4, 200 km of these important highways under Phase 1 of the Connect PNG program, which also includes the construction of the Missing Link roads.
The Minister said so far, 362 kilometers of missing link roads have been completed from the target of 633 kilometers with an investment of K150 million.
Mirisim emphasized that the success of Phase 1 is critical to the success and timeliness of the entire program.
He said the Connect PNG Program is estimated to cost K20 billion, which will be funded over a 20-year period, with Phase 1 from 2020-2027 costing K7.982 billion, Phase 2 from 2028-2034 costing K6,754 billion, and Phase 3 from 2035-2040 costing K5.264 billion.
He highlighted that the National Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape, has ensured funding for the Program is guaranteed in the annual budgets for the next 20 years (2022-2040).
He noted that the overall assessment of the Connect PNG 2020-2040 Program is considered to be tracking at a high success rate on the progress of national highways, missing link roads, rural and national bridge programs, and sub-national road programs, together with institutional and policy components, and indirect and direct benefits accrued so far on improved road lengths.
