Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, addressed participants on the second day of the National Government’s Connect PNG Program at the inaugural Construction and Contractors Conference on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
The conference, organized by the Department of Works and Highways in partnership with the PNG Road Fund and the Institute of Engineers PNG, brought together senior government officials, contractors, and development partners. Chief Secretary Pomaleu described the gathering as a “historic moment” and a clear statement of the nation’s infrastructure ambitions.
In his keynote address, he said the conference provides a vital platform to shape the future of Papua New Guinea’s infrastructure, extending beyond roads and bridges to include the systems that underpin economic growth. He noted that traditional engineering approaches are no longer sufficient to address challenges posed by climate change and difficult terrain.
He outlined a shift in approach, including prioritizing climate-resilient infrastructure, adopting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) for improved transparency and accuracy, and using cost-effective, environmentally conscious methods such as soil stabilization and cold-mix asphalt, particularly in remote areas. He also emphasized a move toward procurement models that reward quality, innovation, and long-term value rather than lowest-cost bids.
Highlighting the country’s infrastructure needs, Pomaleu introduced a “Three-Pillar Model” for collaboration: strengthening Public-Private Partnerships to encourage long-term investment, improving inter-agency coordination through a “Smart Village” concept that integrates roads with utilities such as electricity and fibre networks, and empowering local contractors under the “PNG First” initiative to build domestic capacity.
He linked these efforts to the forthcoming National Infrastructure Policy 2027–2047 and the Connect PNG Program, stressing that each kina invested must generate measurable economic returns and support sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism.
“The Connect PNG Program is more than a policy framework; it is a generational promise,” Pomaleu said, adding that it aims to ensure no community remains isolated and to position Papua New Guinea as a model of sustainable development, resilience, and unity by 2047.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing policy stability, transparency, and timely payments, while calling on stakeholders to uphold excellence, integrity, and accountability.
Pomaleu concluded by proposing that the conference become an annual event, describing it as a platform to drive national progress through the “hearts of patriots and the minds of innovators.”
