Kimbe port rehabilitation underway

Work is now formally underway on the Kimbe Port Rehabilitation project in West New Britain Province, following a groundbreaking ceremony for the project held in Kimbe yesterday.

The Australian Government is financing this program through PNG Ports Corporation to repair and modernize key infrastructure at selected ports including Kimbe, Lae, Lorengau, Kavieng, Oro Bay, Wewak and Vanimo.

For Kimbe, the rehabilitation project is being undertaken under two categories-the marine side component and the landside component.

Minister Duma clarified this when he officiated at the launching ceremony.

West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel acknowledged the national government and donor agencies for recognizing the key role that the Kimbe Port plays in terms of bringing in export revenue earnings for the country.

Member for Talasea, Freddie Reu Kumai, as the host MP, also shared similar sentiments.

Oil Palm Minister, Francis Maneke, stressed the importance of the port in terms of the country’s Oil Palm exports.

Meanwhile, the customary landowners of the Kimbe Port area from Kulungi, Morokea and Ruango were acknowledged for making their land available to the government in the pre-independence days which has now allowed the Oil Palm industry to prosper.

Minister for State Owned Enterprises, William Duma and Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald officiated at the launching and groundbreaking ceremony in Kimbe.

Senior officials of PNG Ports Corporation Limited, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited and the Australian Government were also part of the delegation to the province.

They were received by Provincial leaders including Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Oil Palm Minister and Member for Nakanai, Francis Maneke and Member for Talasea Open, Freddie Kumai.