End-of-Year Message from the Acting Secretary for the Department of Works & Highways
My Dear Minister Works and Highways, SMT, SEC, Advisors, DoWH Staff, Development Partners, and Consultants.
As we approach the end of 2024, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for your hard work, dedication, and relentless efforts in delivering the Connect PNG Program under the Department of Works and Highways and especially during my 5 months in office as Acting Secretary. Thank you for your undivided support and cooperation during the change of management and leadership of the Department.
On this note, let me take this time to thank the services of our former Secretary, Mr David Ruma Wereh, CMG, FIEPNG, for being the champion of infrastructure development and author of Connect PNG Program. He has left a big shoe to fill in but with all of your support we have made it to the end of the year on a very high note with a big bang in the launching of the Corporate Plan 2025-2029, RMMP 2025-2040, Technical Audit Policy, and revamped Website. These achievements in the 100-Day plan shows the power of collaboration and teamwork. Together we can accomplish more and do better to serve our people.
The progress we have made together, despite numerous challenges, speaks volumes about the strength of our team and the passion we share for advancing the growth and prosperity of Papua New Guinea. With the limited funding we connected Telefomin Station this year and on that note let me thank our hardworking Minister for Works and Highways and MP for Telefomin in his dedication and commitment to help us achieve highest of results.
As we celebrate the festive season, let us take this time to reflect on our accomplishments, rest, and recharge for the year ahead. The journey is far from over, and 2025 holds even greater opportunities for us to continue transforming PNG’s infrastructure landscape. We will be reaching 50 years as a Nation and this department has contributed in the Nation Building in a big way at the forefront from the design and construction of the National Parliament House to building the roads and bridges in this beautiful country. With the dedication and teamwork you have demonstrated this year, I have no doubt that we will achieve even greater success in the coming year.
We will connect Wutung to East Cape Point and from LAE to Telefomin and from Oriomo to Vanimo and from Madang to Gulf, East to West New Britain and the AROB. I call on you senior engineers and young engineers to rise and take the bull by the horn and run the race of nation building. Seniors have time to train a young one under your belt and nature him or her to be the better version of you. This country can only be design and build ourselves and let’s join efforts and resources to make PNG a better place on earth.
May the new year 2025 bring us continued success and new milestones as we move forward in our mission to connect Papua New Guinea. Bountiful festivities and may God bless and keep you in the palm of his hands.
Gibson Holemba, PE, MJSCE. FIEONG, Reg.Eng
Acting Secretary for Department of Works & Highway
