Works Minister Visits Manus Highway Under Connect PNG Program

Date: 26th January 2024

Works Minister Visits Manus Highway Under Connect PNG Program

Department of Works & Highways Minister Hon. Solan Mirisim, visited the K115 million redevelopment of Manus East West Highway Project under Connect PNG from NBC Junction to Kawa Primary School a total of 32.3km.

The project was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso in 2022 November 1st and since then the project was gradually taking shape however the project challenges are unique despite the schedule and timeframe of delivery.

The Minister on arrival in Manus was received by the local member of Manus and the Acting Governor General Hon. Job Pomat accompanied by Works Secretary David Wereh, Regional Works Manager Kingsford Kassen who inspected the highway together.

The Manus highway runs from the southern part which is where Lorengau township is situated and it goes all the way to Ndraukei at the western part of the Island of about 100 - 150km. Under the Connect PNG program phase one of is from NBC Junction to Kawa Primary School 32.3km which is now currently being constructed by Covec PNG Ltd.

The second and third phase of the highway will be rescoped and tender documents prepared so that the entire highway is completed to a standard road for the people of Manus because Connect PNG is all about reaching the unreached, touching the untouched and connecting the unconnected. 

Mr. Mirisim on behalf of the Marape – Rosso Government made a commitment to seal the first 5km section of the Manus Highway from NBG Junction up to Rossun Village and Primary school at the earliest by the contractor Covec PNG Ltd.

He said that there are other unique challenges about the project because the Island Province itself is 300miles away from mainland PNG and therefore it is a very expensive exercise to transport the needed materials and equipment onsite to progress the works at a quicker rate.

Most of the materials obtain locally especially gravels and quarries charges of their rates are very expensive therefore it also poses some risks into how the pace of work and progress is in a snail pace with only earth works and line drainage have been on going.

Under the Connect PNG program for the Manus highway Department of Works & Highways have tasked the Manus Works Office to be proactive and support this huge investment program of the government.

The contractor has been tasked under the Connect PNG program to build a duplex office complex for works Manus office building and two staff housing for engineers that will come and reside to work in the province in the immediate future when the project is still on foot.

Authorized by:

HON. SOLAN MIRISIM, MP

Minister for Works & Highways