Today, the World Bank Board approved an additional US $126.5 million for its Second Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program which will rehabilitate hundreds of kilometres of roads in Coastal Provinces in Papua New Guinea.
Senior Infrastructure Specialist at the World Bank James Reichert, said, vibrant regional economies need better and safer roads that connect people to schools, hospitals, jobs and markets for their goods.
The first road planned for upgrading with the new funds will be the 50km East Coast Road in Milne Bay between Alotau and East Cape Point, the most easterly point of Papua New Guinea’s mainland.
Other priority roads will be identified during the course of the project, including provincial roads as well as major highways.
In addition to road rehabilitation, the project will also include provisions for paid employment in road maintenance in interested communities, including opportunities for women, to provide critical income and trainings to prepare for future employment.
The project will be implemented by the Department of Works.
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