DoWH secretary commends the official opening of the PNG’s Longest Footbridge Project

220m Footbridge at PapaLealea outside Port Moresby

Media Release

Department of Works and Highways Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba embraced the official opening of the 220meters longest footbridge in Papua New Guinea at Papa- Lealea village in Hiri West of Central Province.

The K15.41 million Papa-Lealea footbridge project was funded under the infrastructure tax credit scheme (ITCS) multi-financier arrangement with partners like Exxonmobil, Santos, Encos Explora, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) and Mineral Resource Development Corporation (MRDC).

From the outskirts of Port Moresby the location of the project is along Hiri West at the end of the Napanapa road at Lealea first village where the footbridge commence and ends at the Lealea second village, serving population of 11,000 people.

The stakeholders involved are from the government sector like Department of Works & Highways, CEPA, PNG Power Ltd and NMSA. From the private sector is Exxonmobil PNG Ltd & VLOs, LABA Holdings Limited, Rearea – Buria Holdings Limited and Rearea Gas Resource Ltd.

Community impact from the project will see improve access between Lealea village 1 & 2. Boost economic development by lowering transport cost, improve trade and business mobility. It will also improve social cohesion and fast access to heath and emergency services.

However, the potential challenges still remains with vandalism, graffiti, betel nut stains or damage to handrails. Also safety concerns increase in movement of people and therefore public awareness and community enforcement is vital to curb on those matters arising.  

The footbridge project expected benefits are access route during all weather conditions, boost connectivity, commerce and emergency response. Facilitate local socio-economic uplift and capacity building, and finally empowers the community through local participation and job creation during the construction phase.
 

Plaque of the Papalealea footbridge project