Monday 29 January 2024
Manus East-West Highway Project under construction. (photo credit: Works Department).
Minister for Works & Highways Minister Hon. Solan Mirisim recently inspected the K115 million redevelopment of Manus East West Highway Project under Connect PNG from NBC Junction to Kawa Primary School, a total of 32.3 kilometers.
The project was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, on 1 November 2022, and since then the project was gradually taking shape however the project challenges are unique despite the schedule and timeframe of delivery.
Minister Mirisim was in Manus recently and welcomed by local member of Manus and the Acting Governor General Hon. Job Pomat, accompanied by Works Secretary David Wereh, and the Regional Works Manager Kingsford Kassen who inspected the highway.
The Manus highway runs from the southern part, where Lorengau township is situated and links Ndraukei at the western part of the Island of about, 100 – 150km.
Under the Connect PNG program phase one of road construction starts from NBC Junction to Kawa Primary School, 32.3km, which is currently being constructed by Covec PNG Ltd.
The second and third phases of the highway will be rescoped and tender documents prepared, to ensure the entire highway benefits the people of Manus.
“Connect PNG is all about reaching the unreached, touching the untouched and connecting the unconnected,” Minister Mirisim said.
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 to Rossun Village and Primary school at the earliest by the contractor Covec PNG Ltd.
The 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 also been tasked to build a duplex office complex for Works Manus office building and two staff housing for engineers.