Medium Term Development Plan, 2011-2015 - UNDP in Papua New ...

3.8 Road transport
Goal:
Establish a transportation network that links all of PNG
Introduction
Transport infrastructure facilitates social development and economic growth. It enables improvements in
international competitiveness, exports, imports, investment, employment, accessibility to vital services and
markets, and increases in household incomes. Poor transport infrastructure is an impediment to these
improvements and imposes high economic and social burdens, especially on the poor.
Well-maintained transport infrastructure is essential for the efficient flow of produce to markets and for the
flow of consumer goods and services to village communities. The decline in the quality of PNG’s transport
infrastructure over the years has had a major adverse impact on service delivery and on the capacity of Papua
New Guineans to earn cash incomes.
As part of the MTDP 2011-2015, policies will be developed to grow the capacity of local industry. This will be
assisted by the introduction of appropriate sized contracts and multi-year funding to create the certainty that
industry needs. A full review of all transport related legislation will be completed and an efficient framework
within which to operate the transportation sector will be developed.
The Department of Transport currently undertakes a coordination role for the sector. This role will continue
and be strengthened.
There are approximately 30,000km of roads in PNG. Of these, 8,460km are national roads and about 22,000
km are provincial and district roads. The condition of roads in PNG is measured by the Roads Asset
Management System (RAMS). Currently the national roads are assessed as 29 per cent in good condition, 37
per cent fair and 34 per cent in poor condition, while other roads are in critical need of urgent maintenance.
The transport sector will achieve the PNGDSP goal through the implementation of the MTDP sector strategies
and deliverables. The MTDP 2011-2015 will lay the foundation for further expansion of the national roads
network that will link all of PNG. Roads will be in good condition, properly planned and with prioritised
rehabilitation and maintenance. Improved road transport infrastructure will improve access to markets and
improve the flow of essential goods and services (including basic services such as health, education and law
and order) to both rural and urban communities. Specifically, improved transport infrastructure will help
address the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for poverty alleviation and improved education and health
outcomes.
MTDP 2011-2015
To achieve the 2030 target of 25,000km of national roads in good condition, work must commence
immediately on several fronts. Government has identified the Economic Corridors and missing link roads as
very important to the country’s future. Work will commence immediately on feasibility studies, route
identification, road survey and design, and land acquisition. It is likely, however, that these activities — in
particular land acquisition — may take some years to complete.
It is possible to commence work immediately to bring the existing national roads (8,460km) to good condition.
Maintenance, rehabilitation and an upgrade of the existing network will be a significant contribution to the
final target and will quickly deliver real improvements to citizens. Routine maintenance of roads already in
good condition provides a very large return to the people of PNG, sustaining the value of PNG’s investments in
road rehabilitation and construction. Routine maintenance of national roads will therefore be fully funded
under each MTDP.
The focus of the land transport sector is primarily on roads which are strategically aligned to the overall
development of PNG and are of national importance. The roads that are inherent in the deliverables for the
PNGDSP 2030 have been selected based on the populations served and economic potential.
Building on MTDP 2011-2015
There are four sector strategies which are consistent with the overall PNGDSP goal of expanding the national
road network to good condition. These are as follows.
· Rehabilitate and upgrade priority national roads and other national roads to good condition.
· Undertake feasibility studies and construct missing link roads to good condition.
· Undertake feasibility studies and construct Economic Corridor roads to good condition.
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