CONTRACTORS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS SKILLS AND EXPERTISE OF LOCAL CONTRACTORS

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

THE Inaugural Construction and Contractors Conference 2026 will help the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) to build the skills and expertise of local contractors and Engineers says the DoWH Secretary.

DoWH in partnership with Institution of Engineers PNG Inc is hosting the first ever conference for contractors both local and international, under the theme building the nation through innovation, collaboration and sustainable infrastructure.

Speaking on day1 of the conference, DoWH Secretary Gibson Holemba says the Department of Works is the facilitator of policies that are made by the government, it is the contractors that put those policies into action.

Secretary Holemba said the conference is more than just a meeting, it is a platform where stakeholders in the industry come together to drive real innovation and sustainable infrastructure.

He said this conference aims to bring together government and the private sector to help identify the challenges contractors face and to come up with better solutions to address these challenges.

He highlighted procurement as a major problem for contractors, adding the National Procurement Commission and the commercial banks are also present in the conference.

Their participation allows the contractors to ask questions on some of the challenges they face and get answers right away.

The first day of the 2 days conference was dedicated to the banking sector, where contractors and banks and financial institutions discussed on important financial opportunities.

Minister for Works and Highways, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr officially launch the conference.