K77.3 MILLION MADANG COASTAL HIGHWAY CONTRACT SIGNED

BY JORDON VELA

A K77.3 million contract to seal and upgrade a 26-kilometre section of the Madang Coastal Highway from Nimbia to Banabas was signed at Government House this week under the Marape-Rosso government’s Connect PNG program.

Dekenai Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract, valued at K77,367,538.21, including 10% goods and services tax, with an 18-month completion period.

The agreement was formalised by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae, Department of Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba and Dekenai Construction Ltd. General Manager John Mel. Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa and Bogia MP Robert Naguri also attended the ceremony.

Pariwa welcomed the signing and thanked Sir Bob for making the agreement official. He also acknowledged the Department of Works and Highways, its minister and secretary, and Naguri for their work toward progressing the project.

Holemba said the highway upgrade would improve access to basic services for communities that had gone nearly four decades without such access.

He said further road projects were planned for Madang, including maintenance along the 168-kilometre route from Madang town to Bogia Station. The proposed work is estimated to cost K100 million under an Australian-funded program, subject to Cabinet approval and contract award.

Holemba also said the fourlane Wantok Bridge in Madang is expected to open in December. Further plans include extending road connections from Bogia toward Awar and addressing the missing link between Ramu and the Sepik region as part of the wider Connect PNG highway network..