Prime Minister, James Marape has outlined the Government’s ongoing nationwide airport infrastructure upgrades while paying tribute to the government of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and former Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye for initiating the programme that modernized Papua New Guinea’s aviation sector.
Speaking in Parliament this morning when responding to a Question Without Notice by Madang Governor Pariwa, Prime Minister Marape said the Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP) launched in 2008 under the Somare-led Government has played a major role in transforming airport infrastructure across the country (see images).
“I want to place on record my appreciation to the Somare Government for initiating the CADIP programme in 2008,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“At that time, I was serving as Vice Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation assisting the then Minister Hon. Don Polye, and I was directly involved in some of the early work that led to the programme’s rollout.”
PM Marape also acknowledged the support of development partners, including the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Australia, which helped fund the airport upgrades.
He said CADIP Phase One delivered significant improvements to several airports across the country, including new terminal facilities and upgraded runways.
Airports that benefited from the programme include Vanimo Airport, Momote Airport in Manus, Kavieng Airport in New Ireland, Goroka Airport, and Mount Hagen Airport.
“These airports now have modern terminal facilities and improved runways that allow for better and safer air travel,” Prime Minister Marape told Parliament.
“In many cases these airports have completely transformed the travel experience for our people and improved connectivity for provinces that rely heavily on aviation.”
The Prime Minister said the Government is continuing to expand the programme through CADIP Phase Two, with several airport projects currently underway across the country.
He confirmed that work has already started on a new terminal at Aropa Airport in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to serve the entire region.
The Government has also instructed authorities to examine plans for a new terminal facility in Buka to further strengthen air connectivity in Bougainville.
In Milne Bay Province, construction is underway at Alotau Airport, which the Government intends to develop into a potential international gateway in the future to support tourism growth.
“We see Alotau as having potential to become an international airport in the future, especially to support tourism in Milne Bay and surrounding provinces,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He also announced that a brand-new airport terminal is being constructed in Wewak, which has emerged as the fourth busiest airport in the country.
“Wewak is now one of the busiest airports in our country and it deserves a modern terminal facility,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He acknowledged the support of the East Sepik Provincial Government for assisting with drainage works and preparations that enabled the Wewak upgrade to proceed.
“I want to thank the leadership of East Sepik, including the provincial government, for assisting with drainage works and preparations that allowed the airport upgrades to proceed,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said that once the current round of airport upgrades is completed, only a few provincial airports will remain outstanding for major development.
These include Kundiawa Airport in Chimbu Province, Kerema Airport in Gulf Province, and Daru Airport in Western Province.
“When these are completed, every province in our country will have the necessary airport infrastructure to support connectivity, tourism, trade and economic growth,” Prime Minister Marape said.
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“Our vision is to ensure that every province in Papua New Guinea has the enabling infrastructure required to support development and opportunity for our people.”