By Adelaide Kari – EM TV News, Port Moresby
In 2013 the Marea House refurbishment project was awarded to Oil Search, and today the state-of-the-art buiding stands tall, and completed, in the heart Waigani.
Oil Search General Manager, Gerea Aopi, said during the official hand over ceremony that the refurbishment project was made possible under the National National News Tax Credit scheme.
He said that it signified the importance of public private partnership and the government working together to develop the country.
“This is an occasion of great significance in many ways; it is significant because of the cooperation of many organisations and individuals who have made the refurbishment possible, the national government, local authorities, and numerous contractors and for Oil Search, the very first major project to manage in the nation’s capital,” Aopi said.
The refurbished Marea House comprises of 12 levels, nine of which are office areas made up of open plan modern spaces, executive offices, reception areas, and meeting and conference rooms. The building also has 200 plus car spaces and backup systems for power and water supply.
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, thanked Oil Search for a job well done on what was once an eye sore for the nation’s capital.
O’Neill also announced that Marea House will be renamed and that he himself will propose this to the NEC in the upcoming days, to rename the building to Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc.
O’Neill said that he felt that it was better that they would rename the building after someone who has contributed so much to the country. Sir Manasupe had contributed to the country for well over three decades.
Locally based engineering consultant Kramer Ausenco designed the integrated building systems. Local architects Pacific Architects Consortium designed the building and the project was also assisted greatly by locally based cost plan services. L&A Constructions undertook the construction work on the building.
