Prime Minister Hon. James Marape presented a cheque of K20 million for various impact projects in Manus province during his visit there over the weekend.
A cheque of K10 million was presented to the Governor of Manus Hon. Charlie Benjamin, witnessed by Member for Manus and Speaker of National Parliament Hon. Joe Pomat., which will go towards starting work on the East – West National Highway road link , that falls in the Provincial Government’s jurisdiction
A further K10 million cheque was presented to the Manus Provincial Health Authority for a new COVID-19 and other transmissible Diseases Isolation Facility.
“This is apart from the budgeted K15 million funding for a new Manus Provincial Hospital.”
He further requested for land to be identified and made available for the construction of the new Provincial Hospital.
Mr Marape, in addition, committed another K30 million for the commencement of constructions of the N’Drauke Industrial Port in the West Coast part of the province.
At a short official ceremony at NBC Beach in Lorengau, Prime Minister Marape addressed the Manus people by emphasising that though Manus is remote and isolated from the mainland PNG, he has not forgotten them.
“For those people who live in other isolated rural areas of the country, it is the Marape Government’s policy to reach out by delivering services and development to the majority living in all rural and isolated communities.
“ It is his Government’s priority to provide a conducive environment for service delivery for tangible economic development that impact positively on the lives of people and Manus is no exception,” he emphasised.
Prime Minister Marape also announced that the new Momote Airport will become an international airport once it becomes operational in February 2022.
The airport will have all enabling facilities including an airport hospital to process international passengers and investors entering Manus and PNG.
Other major projects that will come on line in Manus include the Manus Tax Free Region (MTFR) project, which will provide tax exemption, encourage foreign investment and create economic and business activities in the province.
Prime Minister and Madam Rachel Marape arrived in Manus on Friday (31/12/21) to celebrate the New Year with the people of Manus.
He was accompanied by the Minister for Commerce and Industry and Member for Goilala Open, William Samb, Secretary Department of Prime Minister and NEC Amb. Ivan Pomaleu and Senior Government officials.
He was received on arrival at Momote Airport by the Commanding Officer of Tarangau Base, Lombrum, inspected the Guard of Honour and officially welcomed to Manus Province by the Governor Hon. Charlie Benjamin, Speaker of National Parliament, Hon. Job Pomat Members of the Manus Provincial Assembly and Senior SDA Church leaders