Prime Minister Hon. James Marape celebrated the unveiling of the remarkable K794 million Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport on Monday, October 2, 2023, underscoring the enduring bond between Japan and Papua New Guinea. This project was made possible through a K692 million soft loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with the Papua New Guinea Government contributing the remaining funds.
The contract for this transformative project was in November 2019 shortly after Prime Minister Marape took office and was one of the first for the Pangu Pati.Despite encountering challenges such as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project persevered.
Prime Minister Marape made these remarks before a gathering of thousands of attendees, including from the surrounding villages, who converged upon Nadzab on Monday, October 2, 2023, to witness this historic occasion.
The event was graced by the presence of Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Iwao Horri, Ambassador to Papua New Guinea H.E. Nobuyuki Watanabe, and esteemed Japanese delegates.
Accompanying Prime Minister Marape were Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP Hon. John Rosso, Civil Aviation Minister Hon. Walter Schnaubelt, Morobe Governor Hon. Luther Wenge, along with several other dignitaries, ministers, and Members of Parliament.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised the significance of the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, stating, “The Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport reflects the bond of shared history, the present friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea, as well as the collective future that lies ahead of us.”
He recounted that the conception of the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport project dates back to 2005 when the late Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan and Sir Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea met. Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged the visionary Governor Wenge for his pivotal role in initiating the idea of an international airport in Nadzab.
Highlighting the vital economic contribution of regions like Morobe, the Highlands, Momase, and the New Guinea Islands, which account for over 70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Prime Minister Marape declared, “I want to announce that this will be our second international gateway, after Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby, as far as air travel is concerned. We have established state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate international flights to and from Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport.”
Prime Minister Marape expressed his vision for the airport, stating, “There must be flights from Nadzab to Japan carrying tuna and agricultural produce, tourists, students, and businesspeople, as well as bringing back Japanese tourists and businesspeople. In Japanese, ‘Tomodachi’ means ‘friends’ who support each other, and this is precisely what the new Nadzab Tomaodachi International Airport represents.”
He continued, “I want Japan, a global economic superpower, to know that it has its ‘Tomodachi’ here in Papua New Guinea. My government is committed to establishing a cold storage facility in Nadzab to store fresh fish for export directly to Japan. We aspire to be your significant partner.”
Prime Minister Marape also urged Air Niugini and the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to ensure regular flights from Nadzab to Australian cities like Brisbane or Cairns. “This will facilitate travelers from the Highlands, Momase, and New Guinea Islands to fly directly to Australia, bypassing the need to go through Port Moresby,” he emphasised.
This momentous occasion marks a new chapter in the friendship between Japan and Papua New Guinea, fostering economic cooperation and strengthening the bonds between the two nations. The Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport stands as a testament to their enduring partnership and shared commitment to a prosperous future.
