“Milne Bay Christmas gift” Alotau MP Ricky Morris

The provincial airstrip of Milne Bay Province will see major works undertaken at the beginning of the new year costing K76.8 million.  

Today's signing ceremony in Port Moresby by National Airports Corporation and China Railway Construction Engineering Company marks the first Million-Kina contract issued under the second phase of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project.

Alotau Member of Parliament, Ricky Morris who witnessed the ceremony, described it as a “Christmas gift” for the people of Alotau and Milne Bay.

He said the project agreement for Gurney Airport highlights the national government commitment to turn the province into a tourism hub.

Mr. Morris encouraged his people to “embrace the project” as it will also create new jobs and boost the local economy.

Days after moving into the NAC top post, the acting managing director Dominic Kaumu said the “project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024 and will be executed over a two and half year period.”

The project funding is sourced from a loan from the Asian Development Bank.

Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt said the under CADIP II, rural airstrips will also be under the radar for redevelopment supporting the Marape – Rosso Government Connect PNG infrastructure project.