Department of Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba says the Trans-National Highway missing link between Oiwa Junction in Menyama, Morobe Province, and Epo Junction in Kerema, Gulf Province, was built at a cost of almost K80 million in five (5) years.
The full length of this missing link, he said, is measured approximately 182.6 kilometers.
Mr. Holemba said the road was constructed by the Department of Works and Highways’ Plant and Transport Division (PTD) using its own construction equipment under the Day Labour model, with the department’s officers and engineers carrying out the work.
“We didn’t contract the missing link work to any contractor,” Mr. Holemba said in a statement.
He said the department only hired equipment from local Papua New Guinean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when it did not have the necessary equipment available.
He described the road as a highly economical investment because of its potential to connect major economic activities and investment areas across Morobe and Gulf provinces.
“These include Wafi-Golpu, Zenag Chicken, Hidden Valley Mine, Wau Alluvial Mining, Menyama Coffee, Kaintiba, Bema, Kanabea, Kotidanga Coffee, Wilderbeast and Murua Rubber Plantation, among others,” he said.
Mr. Holemba said the road would have significant economic benefits once developed to National Highway standard.
“It’s a highly economical road as we estimated 30 percent of freight and passenger traffic between Lae and Port Moresby to be diverted when the road is built to National Highway standard,” he said.