Chief Secretary Pomaleu supports Forestry and Works in signing MOU to connect PNG missing link roads

*From L:* Chief Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and NEC, Ivan Pomaleu, managing director of PNG Forest Authority, John Mosoro and Works Secretary Gibson Holemba during the MOUS signing *(Image: supplied)*

Chief Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ivan Pomaleu has supported the PNG Forest Authority and the Department of Works for their willingness to work together to ensure that roads and bridges are built in the remote parts of the country.

Pomaleu said the two government agencies have taken a significant step forward in driving the Connect PNG Missing Link Road Programme by signing a Memorandum of Understanding recently.

“This is a significant step in itself and the first of its kind in the Southern economic corridor. We hope that we can do the same for the other parts of the country using the assets of logging companies under the
MOU," Pomaleu said.

The MOU allows for the national works to collaborate with PNG FA to utilize logging companies and seek their commitment to assist with their assets and machineries assembled on ground to build roads and bridges in the remote and rural parts of PNG.

“What we want to achieve is to ensure that we work with Forest Companies on ground and seek alignment with our designs and plans going forward in terms of connecting remote ares in the country that need to be roads,” the chief secretary said.

“We need to seek commitment from the logging companies as much as they carry out their logging operations to try and help the government to connect missing road links in remote area."

PNG Forest Authority managing director John Mosoro signing the MOU as Works Secretary Gibson Holemba and chief secretary Ivan Pomaleu looks on *(Image: Supplied)*

The Managing Director of PNG Forest Authority, John Mosoro who is also a member of the Connect PNG programme advisory committee thanked the Chief Secretary for his support and his presence at the signing of the MOU last month.

Mr Mosoro said MOU is important as it paves way form road links to areas and people in remote parts of PNG to access economic and social benefits.

“Forestry has been in this country for a very long time and has contributed immensely to PNG’s economy. It is good to see that the government recognizes Forestry in playing a key role in opening up the last frontiers, bringing in the economic corridors to the remote parts of the country,” Mr Mosoro said.

“I want to appeal to the Forest Industry to come forward and assist the government in its Connect PNG under the MOU and bring the road programme to reality."

Works Secretary Gibson Holemba confirmed that as the MOU was signed a logging company operating in Magarida near the border of Central province and Milne Bay provinces is assisting by providing it’s assets to build a DOWH permanent steel bridge across Banoa River.

The logging company is Active Forest Limited AFL . He confirmed DOWH also used Active Forest’s Badge to move bridge parts from Alotau to Magarida and move it by road to the location.

Mr Holemba said he is happy to see government agencies work together to deliver progress in government programs.