Participants ofthe National Transport Strategy Forum were told thatthere are 8, 000 National Roadsnd 17, 000 roads underthe care of Provincial Governments.
Bet most roads are in bad condition and need immediate repair;therefore,the forum organized bythe Transport Department was mainly to convince development partners thattheir continuous help would mean that most ofthe bad roads would be fixed.
The forum was held atthe Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby this morning.
The participants, notably representatives from AusAID and Asian Development Bank among thers, Also present was Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Works Minister Francis Awesa.
Transport Minister and Member for Rigo, Ano Pala, toldthe development partners thatthe government has adopted a Strategy to invest in Transport Projects that would bringthe highest returns on investmentsthe way forward by priorit’sing transport inventions.
The government has recognisedthe contributions given by donor partners, and hopes this will continue. Asthe Transport System comprises infrastructure, roads, jetties wharves, airstrips, ships and aeroplanes,the line Ministerswere also present atthe forum.
Works Minister Francis Awesa saidthe government has plans to focus on strenthening and replacing weak bridges and roads.
The governmentointhe 2014 Budgetohas allocated K100 million for National Roadsehabilitation and Maintenance, while national bridges rehabilitation and reconstruction K50 million, Port Moresby city roads K170 million and Lae City Roads100 million.
The forum was aimed at convincing development partners to assist line departments implement much ofthe government’s projects inthe Transport Sector.
Sincethe launch ofthe Strategy in July this year,the Transport Department has held various forums inthe four regions ofthe country to gaugethe views of development partners on howthey can help to achieve goals inthe Strategy. It was developed as a complete review ofthe transport sector.
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