Juffa questions TSSP contracts

Northern Governor Gary Juffa calls for clarity on who is responsible for awarding road contracts under the Transport Sector Support Program. (Image: National Parliament)

Northern Governor Gary Juffa has called on Works and Highways Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr to clarify who is responsible for awarding road contracts under the Transport Sector Support Program [TSSP].

Mr Juffa raised concerns over the implementation of the Kokoda Highway sealing project, questioning the partnership and agreement between the government of PNG and Australia in delivering the Kokoda Highway project.

He said the people of Oro deserve a clear understanding of how the program is being managed.

Speaking in Parliament this week, Governor Juffa said the Oro Provincial Government has little to no influence over contract awards under the TSSP.

In response, the Works and Highways Minister said the TSSP is a bilateral program funded by the Australian Government and implemented in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea.

He explained that the program operates across ten coastal provinces and that the administration of the program, including the awarding of contracts, is managed by the TSSP under the oversight of the Department of Works.

Works and Highways Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr says the TSSP is managed under the Department of Works in partnership with the Australian Government. (Image: National Parliament)

Minister Tsiamalili acknowledged that there have been issues relating to the performance of the contractor engaged on the Kokoda Highway project. He said the Department of Works and TSSP are currently working on amendments to address the contractual and implementation issues.

The minister assured Parliament that talks are underway to resolve the outstanding matters and that work on the Kokoda Highway is expected to resume once the necessary arrangements have been finalized.