By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The United States, through the Department of Defence under the US- PNG Defence Cooperation Act, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a large-scale fuel storage facility, costing about USD 400 million dollars (PGK1.6 billion) at Papa near Port Moresby.
The event was witnessed by the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and US Ambassador to PNG Ann Marie Yastishock.
Admiral Paparo said: “This ground breaking reflects trust nations working side by side to new challenges and to seize opportunities, and it shows America’s enduring commitment to PNG’ security and prosperity. The facility represents 400 million in investment, 30 tanks with the capacity of more than 250 million liters. it will power aircraft and ships. It will sustain readiness, and it will ensure that both the US forces and operating defense forces to have the fuel where and when they needed most especially during emergency where and when need most.”
Deputy Secretary Landau said: “ This project is a great example of what we can do together given our long background of diplomatic relation, this offers benefits for your country as well as ours in terms of economic benefits, security benefits and other areas as well,
“My job in State Department is to work on foreign relations with countries all around the world and this is exactly the kind of project that I’m looking for, and it makes me so honored and excited to be with you here today for this, for this groundbreaking. I hope that this will set in motion further projects that will enhance the economy of Papua New Guinea and the security, as well as the region.”
Mr Landau thanked the landowners of Papa for the project land.
Chairman of the Konekaru Holdings Morea Geita said: “This facility is more that an energy facility set up, its an opportunity for our families, the Papa community that we live in and the country as a whole because this project will also have to employ our local tradesman to be part of the construction, hence it will provide better job opportunity that will also lead to improved living standards.”
The site will be used for military and defense purposes only and not for commercial purposes but the US government negotiating with the PNG government to provide investment opportunities in other areas. Construction on the fuel storage facility is expected to start in the next eight weeks.