MINISTER for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaublet has acknowledged the sector agencies of the National Airports Cooperation (NAC) and the development partners for all their undivided support in 2023.
After taking office in August 2022, Minister Schanubelt said he made his business to understand the roles and responsibilities of the Transport Sector agencies, particularly the National Maritime Services Authority (NMSA) and the Road Transport Authority (RTA).
Transport being the conduit for economic development and social services delivery, he acknowledged the nine (9) sector agencies for their significant contributions in transport sector in 2023.
Schnaubelt said the 2023 achievements by these agencies are well captured by the media team and displayed for all to see.
“When Air Niugini, Qantas, Philippine Airlines, Citylink takes off from Jacksons International Airport, you must know that these agencies are the ones that facilitate and ensures that the regulatory and safety aspects are completed,” he said.
“Next month, China Southern Airlines will make its inaugural Flight from Guangzhou to Port Moresby,” Minister Schnaubelt added.
He said these agencies will continue to strive to provide a “functional transport system” for PNG, the Pacific Island countries, the APEC Member economies and the rest of the world.
The Minister said programs such as ADB CADIP 1 & 2, the feasibility study reviews and design of the new Wewak and Vanimo Green Ports, the TSSP 3 under the Australian Government’s TSSP 3 are very important partnership programs to PNG.
Going forward in 2024, he said the Department of Transport will continue to facilitate the coordination of policy, regulation, budgeting and planning of investments on the three modes of transportations (water, land and air).
“All our agencies will provide the policy and legislative reviews, particularly in the Aviation and Maritime Modal Sectors.
“The Aviation Policy will be presented to the National Executive Council (NEC) by end of quarter 1, 2024 and railways and electric vehicles will be progressed.
“Air Service Agreements (ASAs) will progress with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and New Zealand whiles those with Australia, Singapore and others can be discussed and updated to meet the demands of post Covid travels.
“Our PNG/Indonesia cross land boarder connectivity, announced during the State visit by President Widodo in July 2023 needs to be progressed.”
Minister Schanubelt was speaking at the Christmas function event hosted by the Ministry for Civil Aviation and Transport at Niusky Pacific Limited in Port Moresby last Tuesday.
The Christmas event was attended by colleague Ministers and Members of Parliament, Heads of Missions and Diplomatic Corps, Development Partners, Transport Sector Agency Boards & Management and members from the media.
