THE Minister for Works and Highways Hon Solan Mirisim has condemned recent allegations made by former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, describing his claims about the Connect PNG Road Infrastructure Development Program as baseless and politically motivated.
The statement was issued in response to accusations posted by O’Neill on social media, in which he labeled the Connect PNG program a “scam” and questioned several payments made under the program.
Mirisim in a statement stated the program was approved in April 2020 with the goal of achieving 100% road connectivity across Papua New Guinea by 2040.
The program was formally institutionalized through the Connect PNG (Implementation and Funding Arrangements) Act 2021 and is a key strategic priority in the government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV 2023–2027.
He dismissed O’Neill’s allegations as unfounded, highlighting the clear difference between the current government’s efforts and those of O’Neill’s previous administration.
“Mr. O’Neill’s ‘Link PNG Program’ focused on building roads in urban centers that led nowhere. The Connect PNG program, on the other hand, is about connecting the rural, unconnected parts of the country—ensuring that all Papua New Guineans benefit from road infrastructure,” Hon Mirisim said.
He addressed specific allegations made by O’Neill regarding payments under the program. One such claim was that K3.4 million was paid to a hotel in Mt. Hagen for soldiers, which O’Neill described as dubious.
Mirisim clarified that this payment was legitimate and tied to an agreement signed in 2020, which facilitated accommodation and support for soldiers providing security for the Sustainable Highlands Highway Improvement Program (SHHIP).
“Project security is a necessary expense in today’s environment,” he explained, defending the expenditure as part of the broader project costs.
Another allegation related to a K16.3 million payment to the Tari Pori Development Authority Ltd, which O’Neill called a scam.
Minister Mirisim explained that this payment was for a contract to rehabilitate and seal a 30km road section from Maria Junction to Tuku station in Hela Province.
He stressed that the engagement of local contractors is fully in line with the National Government’s SME policy, which was introduced during O’Neill’s own tenure as Prime Minister, as well as the provisions of the National Procurement Act 2018.
In response to O’Neill’s claim that K4 million had been paid to Teleformin DDA under the Connect PNG program, Mirisim firmly rejected the allegation, stating that this money was provided as an infrastructure grant by his own District Development Authority (DDA), unrelated to Connect PNG.
He criticized O’Neill for selectively highlighting a few payments out of the 1,400 payments made under the program between April 2020 and January 2024.
“It is concerning that Mr. O’Neill has chosen to target local contractors, many of whom are hardworking Papua New Guineans, while ignoring the fact that all contracts are procured through the legal process outlined in the National Procurement Act,” Mirisim said.
He reiterated its commitment to rural development, noting that the Connect PNG program is reaching areas that had been neglected under previous administrations, including communities in Kaintiba, Menyamya, Marawaka, Teleformin, Finschhafen, Maramuni, and Pomio.
“This government is dedicated to connecting the unconnected, reaching the unreached, and serving the underserved. No number of baseless allegations will derail our efforts to deliver infrastructure that benefits all Papua New Guineans. While Mr. O’Neill focused on urban areas, we are taking development to rural communities under the Connect PNG program. The people will be the ultimate judges of which approach truly serves PNG’s best interests.”
