The newly appointed Minister for Works and Highways, Acting Minister for ICT, and
Regional Member for Bougainville, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, was formally dedicated to his new role during a ceremony held at the Department of Works and Highways headquarters in Port Moresby, this morning.
The ceremony marked the start of his leadership of one of the country’s most critical infrastructure agencies.
Related news: https://info.gov.pg/dowh-welcomes-tsiamalili-as-new-minister-secretary-holemba-calls-for-continued-progress-in-connect-png/
The dedication ceremony, witnessed by departmental staff, families, regional and provincial works managers who travelled from outside Port Moresby, contractors and invited dignitaries, included prayers for the Minister, his family and his office.
Welcoming the Minister, Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba outlined the mandate, scale and priorities of the department, describing it as a key driver of national development.
“The Department of Works and Highways manage a national asset base valued at between K70 billion and K80 billion, covering roads, bridges, workshops, equipment and other fixed assets across four regional offices and 22 provincial offices,” Mr. Holemba said.
He said the department’s operational focus is on routine and periodic maintenance, emergency works, disaster response and climate- resilient reconstruction, while also serving as the custodian of national engineering and construction standards.
“We enforce national road, bridge and building design standards to ensure quality, safety and compliance with international best practice,” he said, noting that about 60 per cent of the workforce are technical professionals.
Mr. Holemba said the department’s planning and investment are guided by its 2025–2029 Corporate Plan, five- year rolling investment programs and medium-term budget submissions aligned with the Connect PNG program, with Phase One nearing completion and Phase Two planned from 2028.
He highlighted reforms in the 2026 budget, describing it as a “clean budget” that prioritizes programmed maintenance and includes dedicated funding for bridge maintenance for the first time, while avoiding unsolicited projects that previously diverted resources from core functions.
Outlining the department’s legislative responsibilities under the Roads Act, Connectivity Act, Building Act and Public Finance Management Act, Mr. Holemba also emphasized the importance of the Road Fund as a sustainable, off- budget mechanism for road maintenance.
On connectivity, he said progress has been made in linking provinces and rural areas, with remaining missing links—particularly between East Sepik and Madang—now being addressed as part of the long- term vision to connect PNG by road from Wutung to East Cape.
In his dedication address, Minister Tsiamalili described his appointment as a privilege and a national responsibility, thanking departmental leadership, staff and the people of Bougainville for their support.
“Today is more than a welcome ceremony. It is a dedication and a recommitment to purpose,” he said.
“While ministers give direction, it is public servants who deliver for the nation.”
He paid special tribute to support staff, including cleaners, drivers and ground workers, acknowledging their vital role in keeping the department functioning.
The Minister declared 2026 a ‘year of reset’, following PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary, calling for decisive reforms, realignment of priorities and a renewed focus on maintenance, efficiency and avoiding new liabilities.
“Roads and bridges are not just infrastructure. They are lifelines,” Mr. Tsiamalili said.
“They determine access to health care, education, markets and opportunity.”
He warned against abandoned projects and poor- quality work, saying the public is tired of promises without delivery.
“Our culture must be one of integrity, discipline, accountability and pride in workmanship,” he said.
“We must build roads that last, bridges that stand and systems the public can trust.”
Under the theme “Connect PNG Now to Build Our Future,” the Minister said national connectivity must be supported by connected systems, linking planning to funding, procurement to transparency, supervision to quality and leadership to the people.
He announced a focus on stronger project controls, contract discipline, audit, compliance and supervision, noting that wasted resources mean lost opportunities to build critical infrastructure.
The Minister also highlighted the role of faith, unity and ethical leadership, committing the department’s work to God and praying for wisdom, protection for workers and fairness in decision- making.
The ceremony ended as the Department of Works and Highways pledged its full technical, policy and institutional support as he begins his tenure at a pivotal moment in the nation’s development.