PNG - Australia partnership supports local road maintenance contractors

Australian High Commission

Small and medium sized businesses are crucial to the delivery of maintenance on Papua New Guinea’s national road network. 

Australia is continuing to work with the Department of Transport, Department of Works, National Roads Authority, and the Department of Commerce and Industry to strengthen the local contracting industry.

During a series of Australian sponsored workshops in Mt Hagen and Madang last week, Kia Gorabi from the Department of Commerce and Industry Construction Industry Unit reflected on the challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the road sector.

Participants of the workshops recently held in Mt Hagen and Madang.

“The government relies on local contractors to deliver essential work. 

"It’s great to be able to provide support to small businesses on the ground. 

"These workshops have focused on improving understanding of technical, financial, business, and contractual aspects of work in the road sector.

“Road works provide jobs for a range of skill levels in communities along the highways. 

"Good roads are vital for the private sector and act as a catalyst for economic growth.”

Amex Sipatu works for a small contractor that has been operating for seven years.

 “Running a road contracting business is complex and competitive. 

"This workshop has helped me to improve my operations and understand how to grow my business and avoid the most common pitfalls.

“I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the challenges with officials from government departments in our sector,” Amex said.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Benedict David was pleased that Australia was able to support these workshops. 

“Our focus on maximising opportunities for local contractors and communities is a big part of our support for infrastructure development in Papua New Guinea.

“Many of these projects are delivered by Papua New Guinea businesses and these workshops are an important way to maximise local participation in the development of growth enabling infrastructure,” David said. 

In partnership with Australia through the Transport Sector Support Program, the Department of Works delivered more than K60 million worth of road maintenance works in 2017. 

These works were delivered by 70 different local contractors.

ADB inaugurates new office in PNG as partnership expands


adb.org | September 12, 2018

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (12 September 2018) — Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neill joined Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pacific Department Director General Carmela Locsin and ADB Country Director for Papua New Guinea (PNG) David Hill in inaugurating the new premises of ADB’s PNG Resident Mission today.

Country Director of ADB’s Papua New Guinea Resident Mission David Hill, Prime Minister of PNG Peter O’Neill, and Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department, Carmela Locsin.

“ADB has been our strong development partner since 1971,” said O’Neill.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill

“For almost 50 years now, we have worked together to improve transport infrastructure, expand access to renewable energy and health services, and raise living standards for the people of Papua New Guinea.”

ADB’s PNG Resident Mission assists the government in implementing its Development Strategic Plan 2010–2030.

Country Director of ADB’s Papua New Guinea Resident Mission David Hill

ADB’s support is guided by its Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) with PNG for 2016–2020, which focuses on removing infrastructure bottlenecks and barriers to job and business creation in the country.

“ADB’s Papua New Guinea Resident Mission has boosted our responsiveness, allowed us to better align our programs to those of the government, and enabled us to expand our cooperation with other development partners,” said Locsin.

“We are now implementing about $1.8 billion worth of projects and programs with the government.”

PNG is home to both the largest population and economy in the Pacific subregion.

In 2017, gross domestic product reached $23.1 billion and the country’s population was about 8.2 million. PNG recorded its 9th consecutive year of economic growth in 2017.

ADB works with the Government of PNG to improve transport infrastructure, renewable energy, health, water and other urban infrastructure, and public sector management.

 The PNG government has also placed emphasis on environmental sustainability, private sector development, gender equity, and knowledge management.

For instance, the ADB-supported PNG Health Services Sector Development Program combines a policy-based operation and project financing to support sector reforms and investments in PNG, enabling long-term sustainability and effective use of the country’s health sector financing.

The program will support the delivery of accessible, affordable, and high-quality health services in PNG.

The ADB-supported Civil Aviation Development Investment Program is connecting people, goods, and essential services across PNG’s most challenging terrain.
 The project is strengthening the country’s land and air aviation infrastructure while improving safety and security in 21 national airports.

ADB is helping the government increase access to clean and reliable electricity by working with PNG Power to build renewable generation assets, expand transmission and distribution networks, connect new users to the grid, and boost grid efficiency.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

 In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.

New infrastructure for Buna Village, NorthernProvince

 Australian High Commission

Residents of Buna Village in Northern Province have celebrated the opening of a new double classroom and a new health centre. 

Buna school children stand in front of the new double classroom

The infrastructure was delivered jointly by the Australian Government – through the Kokoda Initiative – and the No Roads Foundation, with specific contributions from other partners.

New double classroom in Buna village

Representatives from the Australian High Commission, No Roads Foundation, Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) and local and provincial authorities gathered to inaugurate the new buildings on Sept 10, along with representatives from the local community and some Kokoda trekkers.

Special guests and 12 medical volunteers from Australia in front of the new Buna Community Health Centre

Counsellor Alistair McEachern from the Australian High Commission told locals the new facilities highlighted Australia’s commitment to the ongoing development of the Kokoda Track and surrounding areas.

New Buna Community Health Centre

“Given Buna’s unique connection to Australia during WWII, the Australian Government is now supporting the community with education and health facilities delivered under the Kokoda Initiative in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea.”

The new double classroom completes the Australian Government’s K10 million package of education infrastructure delivered across the Kokoda Track corridor to honour the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign. 

The package included eight fully-furnished double classrooms, five upgraded classroom buildings, and nine new staff houses, across Central and Northern provinces.

The new facility will replace the existing health centre, which covers 12 catchments with a population of up to 7000 people. 

The old centre was too small to cope with the growing healthcare needs of the local community, so the new centre is both timely and necessary.

KTF has provided funds to support a health officer at the previous facility for a number of years and will continue to support the new centre. 

Rodney Hart Wakei is the current officer-in-charge and has been working at the old health centre since 2012.

“This new building will encourage more patients to access the health facility each day, including women giving birth. 

"I really appreciate the donor agencies for the genuine support they’ve provided to the Buna community.”

After running tours along the Kokoda Track for many years, Andrew Grasby from the No Roads Foundation said basic health infrastructure and services were critical to the well-being of Kokoda communities.

“Local people often live in remote and isolated areas, with limited access to health services. 

"For this reason, we are proud to support the building of the health centre in Buna and provide health services to communities today.”

No Roads Foundation also sponsored 12 medical volunteers from Australia to support the set-up of the health facility and run a community health clinic after the opening. 

Rotary Australia also provided funding and donated the health centre’s ward beds, wheelchair and other key medical equipment.

Rebuilding health infrastructure in Hela

Australian High Commission

The Government of Papua New Guinea, Australian Government and Oil Search Foundation are working together to support provincial health Authorities to deliver improved health outcomes in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis (left) during one of his visits to Hela with the Member for Koroba-Lake Kopiago and Minister for Immigration  Border Security Petrus Thomas.

Member for Koroba-Lake Kopiago and Minister for Immigration and Border Security Petrus Thomas presented a cheque of K200,000 of district funding to support rehabilitation works at the Koroba District Hospital, at an event on Friday Sept 7 in Port Moresby, also attended by Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and Oil Search Foundation executive-director Stephanie Copus-Campbell.

The rehabilitation is part of a boarder partnership initiative, Wok Bung Wantaim, that is funded by the Australian Government and the Oil Search Foundation. Its isolation and remoteness, combined with damage sustained in the February earthquake in the Highlands, had seen the facility deteriorate significantly.

Koroba Kopiago’s district development funds will add to previous commitments from OSF to ensure the facility is returned to full function as soon as possible. 

Australia has also provided K1.2 million for a new X-ray and pathology facility to give patients access to a more comprehensive range of services at the hospital.

“Each one of us – government, donors, churches, NGOs and the private sector can do a lot to support improved health services," Thomas said.

"But when we coordinate funding, skills and experience through partnership we can together drive real change.”

Davis said that Australia was pleased with the expanding partnership that would deliver better health outcomes in Hela.

“I am delighted that Australia, working with OSF, churches and NGOs, can support the Hela Provincial Health Authority, local "Members of Parliament and their District Development Authorities," he said. 

"This partnership will improve health services for the people of Koroba-Lake Kopigao and beyond.

“Australia is working with all its partners in Koroba-Lake Kopiago to deliver not only on the restoration of services post-earthquake but improving those services to meet the growing needs of the district. 

"This partnership is a unique way of working together and we are delighted to be part of such a great initiative.”

OSF is working closely with the Hela Provincial Health Authority to manage the project on behalf of the Koroba-Lake Kopiago District Development Authority, in partnership with Australia and others.

Commending commitments made so far, Copus-Campbell said the partnership and rehabilitation work was a step forward to improving health services to people of the district.

“District hospitals are an important part of Government’s health service delivery framework," she said.

"OSF is fully committed to working with the Hela Provincial Health Authority, the Australian Government and the Koroba-Lake Kopiago District Development Authority to ensure the people of Koroba-Lake Kopiago access health care.”

A fully functional district hospital, such as the Koroba District Hospital, brings essential health care services closer to communities, especially as they operate closer to the communities they serve compared to larger provincial hospitals.

Australia is separately funding the reconstruction or refurbishment of other social infrastructure in Koroba-Kopiago District, collectively worth around K8 million. 

This infrastructure will include Kopiago Health Centre, Fugwa Primary School, Fugwa Health Centre, and Koroba Police Barracks.

Zero tolerance on lawlessness in Lae: Butibam leader

By Butibam leader HOLMES KISSING

Assistant Commissioner Peter Guiness and Acting Metropolitan Superintendent Fred Kaiwa received our petition onMonday for the immediate capture of the people involved in the killing of youngButibam villager Moses Walo at the weekend.

Holmes Kissing

We will support our men and women in law enforcement to uphold the law, and we will work with the Police and our systems of Government to rid the city of criminals who prey on the innocent.
We will pursue justice relentlessly.
We will no longer accept lawlessness and disorder in our city from anyone.
When someone's actions harm any of our people, we will remove them from our land.
If anyone supports, assists, aids or promotes any agenda against our people we will remove them, and their interests from our land. 
Any business involved in any agenda against any Morobeans will be removed from our land  and we will make sure they never set up in Lae again. 
Large scale, small scale, PMV,  hire car, retail shop, security, anyone who assists, supports, or contributes to the oppression of any Morobean will be removed from our city and land.
Anyone who leaves their province or homeland to come and live in Lae must do so in a lawful and orderly manner.
We will indiscriminately remove anyone from our land who fails to live in accordance within the confines of good law-and-order.
What people do or how they live in their province is their affair.
 When anyone comes to Morobe Province, they have to live in a peaceful, lawful, and orderly manner. 
Understand this: If anyone touches our people, there will be consequences. 
Especially our women and children.
Touch them or harm them and we will rise up.
Our committee has collectively decided against the protest march because there were too many considerations. 
Crowd control, opportunists inciting riots, and the safety of people and business houses and Government property.
There were a large number of people willing to participate in the protest who came from the six Ahi villages: Butibam, Hengali Kamkumung, Yalu, Wagang and Yanga.
Our brothers from Bumbu and Biwat, Talair and Asu, Back Road,  Menyamya, Finschafen,  Kabwum, Markham and other Morobeen ethnic groups. 
Many people wanted the march to happen, but we had to consider the safety of the city first.
I thank my tribesmen from the six Ahi villages, our business people, our fellow Morobeans for their support.
We will continue to work together to promote a good, safe and harmonious society.
 We will not rest until justice is done.

Kassam Pass works improve safety of Highlands Highway

 Australian High Commission

The Department of Works is in the final stages of completing Australian funded works to improve the safety and reliability of the Highlands Highway at Kassam Pass. 

Road works on Kassam Pass.-Pictures courtesy of AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION

The project in the Eastern Highlands is supported through the Papua New Guinea – Australia transport sector partnership.

Importantly, the project is being delivered through local contractors, ensuring local communities benefit through increased employment and income generation opportunities.

An earlier landslip at Kassam Pass had made the road more hazardous. 

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The project has shifted the road further into the mountain, improved drainage, and repaired and resealed the road surface.

Secretary of the Department, David Wereh, underlines the significance of this for road users along the national road network.

“This project is critical to keeping traffic safe along the Highlands Highway.

" The road passes through some challenging and unstable terrain and these works will ensure that this essential economic lifeline remains open.

“Despite difficult geological conditions, local contractors have achieved impressive results. 

"Road users will notice a smoother road surface, improved drainage, gabion baskets, and new guard rails. 

"This is all designed to keep the travelling public moving safely and connect businesses and communities.”

Smith Yauwe, working for one of the local contractors engaged in this project is pleased to see the changes to the highway.

“This project has provided a boost to the local economy and delivers a safer road for all. 

"I am proud to be able to contribute to maintaining our country’s national priority road network with funding support from Australia.”

In 2017 the Papua New Guinea – Australia Transport Sector Support Program and Department of Works delivered road maintenance works worth K60 million through more than 70 local contractors

Daru runs dry as all attention on Apec

By HANS MESSEA of NBC in Daru

Daru town residents are continuing to be  badly hit by the ongoing water crises.
Last week,  the raw water mains on the island terminal were vandalised,  causing a disruption to the water supply to Daru .

The piping has gone rusty,  and was easily unbolted,  resulting in water shooting upwards and causing the closure of the water supply.
It is the beginning of the dry spell and most of the dugout water wells and the tanks have gone dry.
People are now resorting to paying for  water from the wells owned by a few residents for K1 or K2 per container.
Other people are fetching water
for cooking and drinking from bore water.
There are health risks again because the
bore and well water is not treated.
The Water PNG office in Daru has made a public appeal to those tampering
with the pipes to stop vandalising such vital assets that serve the community.
Currently workmen are attending to the  damages which is into the
deeper part of the sea.
Work has to be carried out when the tide is
low.
Water will be restored as soon as the job is completed.