Photo credit: Embassy of Japan in Papua New Guinea - Japanese Ambassador Kuniyuki Nakahara and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Soroi Eoe
PNG has received a K13 million donation from Japan for road construction equipment.
Japanese Ambassador Kuniyuki Nakahara and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Soroi Eoe signed the agreement on paper.
Eoe expressed gratitude on behalf of the people and government of PNG, particularly the recipient provinces, to the people and government of Japan.
“Despite COVID-19 induced Japan’s economic slowdown and revenue reduction, Japan continues to provide assistance to PNG,” he said.
“This demonstrates the deep friendship between our two countries.
“This equipment will be used in the road infrastructure construction sector, consistent with the Marape Government’s effort towards connecting PNG.”
Ambassador Nakahara said: “Japan is committed to working together with PNG for the development and the welfare of its people and Japan believes that road is one of the most important infrastructures to develop the country.
“Therefore, from 2013 to 2017, Japan started transferring its technical know-how on road construction and maintenance to the Department of Works and has also provided construction equipment from time to time. The machines under the previous phase of the grant assistance signed in 2019 have just arrived in PNG.”
which is a total of 18 pieces of equipment, worth about K10 million.
I am pleased to share with you that the grant assistance which we are going to sign today is the outcome of the summit meeting between former Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, and Prime Minister James Marape in June.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Suga pledged to offer additional grant support of 24 road construction equipment.
The equipment includes an excavator, a motor grader, and a wheel loader and so on. They are worth ¥400 million, roughly equivalent to K13 million. We are confident that this equipment will be utilized by the Department of Works to the maximum effect and maintained well for long-term use,” Amb. Nakahara said.
Reference: Post-Courier (26 October 2021). “Japan Strengthens Ties With PNG”.
