JUFFA SEEKS CLARITY ON TSSP AND KOKODA HIGHWAY

BY MARTINA TAKANENG

ORO Governor Gary Juffa has questioned the Minister for Works and Highways in Parliament today seeking clarity over the delivery of projects under the Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP) in Oro Province.

Governor Juffa asked the Minister to explain how contracts under TSSP are awarded, and to clarify the agreement reached between the PNG and Australian governments to seal the Kokoda Highway from Embarra to Kokoda station.

In response, Works and Highways Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr said TSSP is a bilateral program funded by Australian taxpayers to help build capacity and deliver key transport infrastructure.

On the Kokoda Highway, the Minister said there were issues with the current contractor’s performance.

As a result, management of the project was referred back to TSSP under the guidance of the Department of Works and Highways.

He stated that TSSP, in collaboration with the DoWH, has tendered for scoping studies, design works, and the amended contract, indicating that final stages are underway for the roadwork to resume soon.

TSSP is a bilateral program funded by Australian Taxpayers as a grant support the transport sector agencies such as Department of Works, Department of Transport, National Airports Corporation, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Road traffic Authority, National Maritime Service Authority.

The program was drafted to purposely support the capacity in building the infrastructure in the mentioned department and authorites.

Minister Tsiamalili explained that under the Department of Works and Highways, TSSP program target particularly coastal areas addressing ten coastal provinces including Central, Milne Bay, East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, Manus, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Madang, east Sepik and West Sepik.