About Us

Department of Works (DOW) is the Papua New Guinea Government’s implementing agency for infrastructure in the country

The Department of Works (DOW) is the Papua New Guinea Government’s implementing agency for infrastructure in the country. It is the biggest and one of the oldest government organizations in the country starting as the Office of Works and Supply during the pre-independence era. Being the biggest is due to the fact that it is the only department in the government that can boast having an office in every province in the country all linked together through the wide area network.

DOW is responsible for maintaining approximately a total of 8,738.46 kms of roads throughout the country. This figure stands as of 2007. Of this total, 5,755.20km are graveled, 2,779.48km are sealed and the remaining 523.35km are inaccessible due to factors such as weather conditions etc. The current transport infrastructure priorities are found in the Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) and the National Transport Development (NTDS) plan and can be summarized as follows:

  • Road maintenance – the need to ensure that the existing road and bridge networks are maintained to a trafficable level.
  • New roads will be considered once the economic climate improves.
  • The DOW is responsible for ensuring implementation but the majority of actual design and construction will be undertaken by the private sector. The Department will concentrate on supervision and quality control.
  • The Highlands Highway – shall remain the main priority under the current maintenance and rehabilitation policy of the Government.
  • Other major national highways including the Magi, Hiritano, Buluminski, New Britain and Sepik Highways shall also be included for priority maintenance as funding becomes available.
  • To ensure ongoing maintenance of priority highways is essential that counterpart funding for donor projects is available to reduce delays in implementing the approved annual work plans.
  • Implementation of District Services Improvement Program (DSIP).
  • Implementation of the District Roads Improvement Program (DRIP).
  • Ongoing implementation of existing contracted programs.

THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR:

  • Implementing the Government’s Public Sector Reform Strategic Plan in respect to the Department of Works.
  • Ensuring that the Department implements the Government’s HIV/AIDS and gender policies.
  • Administering the Building Act Regulations.
  • Providing rural infrastructure services not covered by organizations such as PNG Power, the Waterboard or Eda Ranu and others.
  • Providing consultancy services to other organizations.

OUR VISION

We the DoW will provide and maintain a priority road network that will contribute to a holistic quality of life that can be embraced and enjoyed by the people of PNG with access to opportunities available in a modern gobal village.

OUR MISSION

DoW exists to provide and maintain an adequate and safe priority road network in an accountable, transparent and environmentally sustainable manner in consultation with stakeholders to facilitate national development and embrace the standard of living as embodied in the Constitution of PNG.

OUR VALUES

Our values form the foundation upon upon which DoW is built. They represent our Melanasian culture, guide our behaviors and influence our decision making and relationships with stakeholders. DoW's values are:

  • ROAD MATTER - we take pride in managing the priority road network for the benefit of the community.
  • EXCELLENCE in SERVICE - understanding and providing what is important to our stakeholders and communities
  • PROFESSIONALISM - providing high levels of expertise in delivering our services
  • FAMILY - respecting and supporting our communities and each other