New National Roads Declaration and Classification under the Road (Management and Funding) Act 2020

NATIONAL GAZTTE( 2025 NO : G345 ) DECLATION OF PUBLIC ROADS AND FIXING OF BOUNDARIES 7 AND 8 NATIONAL GAZTTE( 2025 NO : G346 ) CLASSFICATION OF NATIONAL ROAD UNDER SECTION 9

Port Moresby, 16th May 2025: The National Executive Council (NEC) approved a significant policy submission aimed at enhancing the management and development of Papua New Guinea's (PNG) road network. This landmark decision includes the declaration and classification of several key roads under the Road (Management and Fund) Act 2020, a move designed to bolster the country's infrastructure and support its economic growth objectives. 

Key Highlights of the Policy Approval: 

1. Declaration and Classification of Roads: The NEC has approved the declaration of 6,300 Km of the Connect PNG (Phase 1) Programme roads listed below, as Public Roads under Section 7 and their classification as National Roads under Section 9 of the Road (Management and Fund) Act 2020. This initiative aims to ensure that these critical roads receive the necessary maintenance and upgrades to meet the demands of modern transportation and economic activities. 
2. Strategic Road Development: The approved policy is aligned with the Connect PNG Economic Road Transport Infrastructure Development Programme 2020- 2040. This program seeks to enhance national cohesion and socio-economic development by improving road connectivity across the country's four regions: Highlands, Momase, New Guinea Islands, and Southern. Key targets include the construction of the Trans-Island Highway and upgrading 9,000 kilometres of subnational roads. 
3. Enhanced Road Management and Support: The Department of Works and Highways (DOWH) will continue to provide engineering and management support to provincial and district authorities through the Field Operations Wing (FOW). This support includes project planning, procurement, and coordination, ensuring that all levels of road management adhere to national standards. 
4. Implementation and Future Outlook: The policy approval includes a structured implementation plan, with the publication of additional Gazette Notices for the declared roads expected in 2025. This move will officially increase the length of the National Road Network from 8,740 kilometres to 11,535 kilometres, signifying a substantial commitment to infrastructure development. 

Minister for Works and Highways, Hon. Solan Mirisim MP, commented: "The NEC's approval of this policy marks a transformative step in improving PNG's road infrastructure. By classifying and declaring key roads as national assets, we are not only ensuring better maintenance and connectivity but also supporting the broader economic and social development of our country. This initiative is vital for the success of the Connect PNG Programme and the long-term prosperity of our nation." 

About the Road (Management and Fund) Act 2020: The Road Act 2020 provides the legal framework for the management, classification, and funding of roads in PNG. It replaced the Road, Maintenance Act 1971 and the National Road Authority Act 2003, giving the Minister of Works and Highways powers to declare, classify, and manage Public Roads, a well establishment the PNG Road Fund for road maintenance financing.