The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council through its Transport & Infrastructure Sectoral Committee this year came up with seven initiatives regarding transport and infrastructure issues in Papua New Guinea. The Transport & Infrastructure Sectoral Committee is planning on progressing these initiatives during 2009.
National Road Authority
The National Road Authority (NRA) has been active since 2003. The NRA Act came into effect in 2004 with the appointment of seven private sector members and four government members on its Board and the new Chief Executive Officer recruited in 2007. The NRA is currently undertaking maintenance on the Lae to Nadzab section of the Highlands Highway. The purpose of the NRA is to maintain national highways starting with nominated sections of the Highlands Highway. Funding for use on road maintenance are raised though a fuel excise of .6toea/ltr of diesel and in 2008 there was K20mil raised. The Authority was set up to ensure periodic maintenance on all wear and tear happening on our national highways.
Rural Roads Maintenance Program
The Committee is looking to push for a rural roads maintenance program which is aimed at coming up with a program to be put to the government for undertaking periodic maintenance on poorly maintained provincial and feeder roads. It is in collaboration with the government through the Department of Works and Provincial Governments.
Maintenance on district infrastructure
The Committee is working on coming up with a plan/project for the maintenance of district infrastructure. This is aimed at looking for ways to maintain all district infrastructure such as electricity, roads, health and education facilities, as well as agriculture infrastructure services, especially extension facilities.
National Road Safety Audit
The Committee is also working hard to come up with a program/system for undertaking periodic and timely National Road Safety Audit on design and construction of all roads to ensure that road safety aspects are taken into account when designing and constructing all our roads so as to avoid road fatalities. Roads which are not supervised properly when under construction are prone to immediate deterioration which causes hazards for commuters and the traveling public.
Coastal shipping issues
The Committee is also looking at ensuring coastal shipping issues are effectively addressed by all stakeholders concerned. The aim of addressing shipping issues is to comply with international port safety standards in light of increased terrorism activities around the world in recent times.
Community involvement in maritime project
The Committee is aiming to adopt a similar approach to that adopted by the National Maritime and Safety Authority for all its projects. The NMSA project is mainly to have local communities work with the National Maritime and Safety authority in the up keep of maritime infrastructure such as lighthouses, jetties, etc.
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