PM praises ADB assistance

Prime Minister James Marape thanked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its continued assistance to Papua New Guinea during a meeting with ADB vice-president Scott Morris in Port Moresby on Thursday.
Morris is in PNG to discuss ADB’s assistance programme with government officials and civil society, and to visit project sites.
Morris was accompanied by ADB country director Said Zaidansyah and country operations head Soon Chan Hong.
Marape was accompanied by chief secretary Ivan Pomaleu.
PNG joined the ADB in 1971, as of last year, ADB had committed 271 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totalling US$4.7 billion (about K16.29 billion) to PNG.
ADB’s current sovereign portfolio includes 11 projects worth US$1.39 billion (about K4.82 billion).
ADB’s current assistance programme in PNG focuses on improving transport infrastructure, with priority on roads and civil aviation; building resilience to climate change; strengthening public sector management; and expanding access to energy, health, and education services.
Moving forward, ADB’s support to PNG will also emphasise investments in water, sanitation, hygiene, agriculture, and financial inclusion.
“I thank ADB for its continued assistance to PNG over the years,” Marape said.
“ADB has been good to us every step of the way and has supported us with various projects such as the highly-successful Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme, higher education and road infrastructure.
“These projects include the Highlands Highway from Nadzab in Morobe to Kagamuga in Western Highlands.”