Progress on Oro bridges jointly inspected by Papua New Guinea and Australia

The Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia yesterday inspected progress on the Oro Bridges Reconstruction Project.

In attendance were the Governor of Oro, the Hon Gary Juffa; the Secretary for Works and Implementation, Mr David Wereh; the Secretary for Transport, Mr Roy Mumu; and the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes.

Following the inspection, a celebration took place in Popondetta to mark progress in reconstructing the four bridges that were washed away by Cyclone Guba. This loss of infrastructure has been keenly felt by people across the province as it impacts on access to vital services and economic opportunities.

The Oro Bridges Reconstruction Project is part of the PNG-Australia Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP) which is a partnership between the Governments of PNG and Australia. This partnership continues Australia’s long term commitment to the transport infrastructure sector in Papua New Guinea.

Over K139 million is being jointly invested in this project by the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea in order to ensure that the new bridges are of the highest technical standard and will withstand future flooding and cyclones. The four bridges connect communities from the coast to the airport, market, Kokoda and beyond. Alongside the support provided to communities through the Kokoda Initiative, this investment is a cornerstone of the Australian Government’s commitment to the region.

The roads and bridges of Oro are maintained by the Department of Works. The Department of Works was pleased to be able to host the inspection and celebration event.

The Secretary for Works and Implementation, Mr David Wereh said: “I am delighted that a reliable access route for the people of Oro commuting into towns and districts will finally be constructed with the completion of these four bridges. We value the enduring partnership that the governments of PNG and Australia have enjoyed for many years and we are committed to continuing the relationship as we work towards achieving the goal of creating better access for people living in rural and urban communities.”

During her visit Ms Stokes emphasised the local impact of the infrastructure investment.

“Reliable transport infrastructure lowers costs for PNG businesses and enables improved service delivery. Good roads and bridges are at the heart of economic growth and the Oro Bridges Reconstruction Project is an integral part of this for the people and businesses of Oro.” Ms Stokes said.

The new bridges are designed to withstand future extreme weather events such as cyclones and flooding and will provide the province with safer, more resilient and reliable access for years to come. The new bridges will also improve pedestrian safety on the crossings to ensure all road users can fully benefit from the investment.

Following an international competitive procurement process the bridges are being constructed by Canstruct PNG Ltd. More than 100 PNG citizens will be employed on the project and the works will bring significant economic benefits to the people of Oro Province.

Temporary crossings are in place at all four bridge sites to ensure continued access for the people and businesses of the province. The project is progressing well and is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.