Prime Minister O'Neill thanks Engineers for Nation Building Efforts

The Prime Minister, Hon Peter O’Neill CMG MP, has commended engineers throughout the country for their continuous efforts and original ideas to build the nation’s infrastructure.

In his keynote address to the Papua New Guinea Institute of Engineers (IEPNG) annual fundraising dinner, the Prime Minister thanked individual members for their work. He urged the nation’s engineers to continue to use their technical knowledge and creative talent to the fullest in delivering infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports and airports.

“Engineers play an important role in nation building,” PM O’Neill said.

“As we continue to strive for a better development agenda for our country, engineers will enable us to reach our goals.”

The Prime Minister said in the nation’s fortieth year of independence, Papua New Guinea is changing as people in business and government take a new approach.

“We had been letting this country down for most of the last forty years and our people deserve better, so please engineers, join me and the government to build a better future for our country and our children.”

He said strong partnerships were developing based around ongoing consultation and cooperation between all levels of government, private sector professions, construction and resources companies, financial institutions and other investors.

“If we are to deliver on our ambitious goals, then there is no way it can be done by government, and by government agencies alone.”

“We are doing this at high standards because we are working with partners in the private sector.”

PM O’Neill made the point that while there are numerous high profile construction projects taking place throughout the country, the government was also working to restore existing facilities that were neglected for many years.

“In the last two years our government has been embarking on a policy of restoration and maintenance throughout the country.”

This includes infrastructure such as the renovation of the Port Moresby General Hospital, rebuilding of the Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen, restoring the Central Government Building in Waigani, upgrading and sealing of highways around in the country, and other developments in every province.

The annual IEPNG Fundraising Dinner took place at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby on 23rd October 2014.