The Connect PNG K300 million Poroma-Kutubu Road Upgrade launches at Pimaga Station in the Nipa Kutubu District of Southern Highlands Province today.
It is a major infrastructure investment aimed at improving connectivity to the Kutubu oilfields and strengthening the Southern Corridor linking Southern Highlands and Gulf provinces, and beyond.
The project falls under the Connect PNG Economic Road Infrastructure Development Program and is being implemented by the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH).
According to Department of Works and Highways, the road upgrade follows the signing of the construction contract on 22nd October 2024, witnessed by H.E. Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea.
“The contract was signed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd, represented by General Manager Lianan Chang and Deputy General Manager Sam Jia, in the presence of Secretary for Works and Highways, Mr. Gibson Holemba.”
“It covers the upgrading and sealing of 100.2 kilometres of the Kutubu Road, from the Highlands Highway junction at Parita to the Moro Gate and Kamiri Bridge in the Southern Highlands Province; valued at K371,510,087.97, inclusive of GST.”
Funding for the road will be provided through a combination of National Government support under the Connect PNG program and the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, with contributions from Santos, ExxonMobil and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.
The National Executive Council (NEC) approved the award of the contract to China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd.
Secretary Holemba described the project as a “major facelift” for the Southern/Gulf Highway, noting that it is a critical economic corridor leading to the Kutubu oilfields and forms part of the broader Southern Corridor into Kikori and Gulf Province.
The Poroma–Kutubu Road Upgrade is expected to significantly improve transport efficiency, enhance access to vital economic areas, and support long-term development for communities in the Southern Highlands and neighbouring provinces.
