By Jack Lapauve Jnr
Works and Highways Secretary David Wereh says the ‘Connect PNG’ plan is critical in improving road quality and standard in the country.
Wereh says road accessibility for citizens will open up opportunities for communities in the country. “Funding levels have increased in the past years especially the regional highways in the country. Magi, Hiritano, Buluminski, Highlands(Okuk), Ramu-Madang, and Sepik Coastal Highway among others”, said Secretary Wereh.
Wereh said the Department’s aim is to ensure by 2025 all economic highways in the country should be in excellent condition for use and travel. He said his Department is organizing and implementing a fulltime performance based contracts for road maintenance and rehabilitation as expected by the Government.
“We have fulltime contractors on site to respond to emergency needs to ensure roads are in good condition. We are shifting from traditional arrangements that is waiting for budget allocations. Most of the time our efforts to fix roads are late”, said Wereh.
The Works and Highways Secretary said the National Government has approved the new delivery model (Performance Based Contracts) for the big highways. He said this has worked out very well and giving good results in most major highways in the Highlands and Coastal areas.
“This is the best practice adapted around the world to preserve roads that are made given the massive funding investment for road works in the country. This model is working and I believe if we implement this throughout the country, by 2025 people will have access to better roads”, added Wereh.
Secretary Wereh also said guaranteed funding is key in ensuring that roads are in good condition. In the old arrangements, the delay of funding results in maintenance of roads and affects contractors cash flow to purchase materials with work delayed.
“That is why the Department has introduced the ‘Road Fund’ concept to ensure there is a guaranteed stream of funding from different revenue sources to maintain and sustain contractors work throughout the country. This is the only way to save our roads”, said Secretary Wereh.
Meanwhile the Works and Highway Secretary said the geography conditions and people has been always a challenge for the Department. He also expressed that road usage demand has increased over the years due to population with more traffic on the roads.
Wereh said over the years the Department has developed and design key standards to resist overloading on road conditions. “Recycling and Stabilization is one of the technologies we using to strengthen road pavement to resist the overloading experienced on our highways,” said Wereh.
“We have trialed it out and as we speak we have covered 200 to 300 kilometers on our highways at a cost effective rate,” said Wereh. He said the results have proved to be positive as the Department plans to use this standard to use in other highways around the country.
Wereh said a classic example is the road section from Nadzab junction to Nadzab airport with the road lasting for almost 8 years now.
According to Wereh the Works and Highway Department is taking calculated moves to find best solutions with designs given the huge capital investment and high cost of road maintenance in the country.
Wereh said it takes time and requires money to practically maintain, build and ensure Papua New Guinea has lasting road conditions which are safe and usable by the people. “We getting the kind of support never seen before including the recent passing of a law (Connect PNG Fund Arrangement Act) to see guaranteed funding for approved road plans in the country,” said Wereh.
“It’s possible to build better roads and highways if Government support is there to support key drivers. I’m quite confident that we will see the results in 5 to 6 years’ time to see the desired road conditions given the right planning, programing, design and approach with the support from other Government agencies, said Secretary Wereh.
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