The Department of Works is driving forward its 40-year program to open up the country’s road network.
Works secretary David Wereh in an interview with EMTV outlined the Department’s strategy in building and maintaining road infrastructure in PNG.
“The 40-year program focuses on key economic roads that are important to the growth of the country,” explained Wereh.
Highlighting the need to open more roads, the secretary says the priority is to develop national highways identified by the Works Department.
- Momase corridor spanning West Sepik, East Sepik, Madang, and Morobe.
- The Highlands corridor, including Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, and Enga.
- The Petroleum Resource Area-Southern Region (PRASR) corridor, which covers the provinces of Hela, Southern Highlands, Gulf, Central, Northern, and Milne Bay.
- The Islands Region corridor, which includes the provinces of East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, and Manus Island.
- The Border corridor, which spans West Sepik and Western provinces.
Wereh added it’s a hugely ambitious task but can be achieved if systems of government align to build and maintain road infrastructure.
“Funding is key as this kind of programs work well with guarantee funding.”
Another key reform undertaken by the Works Department is ensuring roads and bridges built can withstand natural disasters.
