Department of Works and Highways

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

*🇵🇬 CONNECTING PNG: Bringing Development to the Most Remote Communities*

The proposed Oksapmin–Telefomin–Western Province–PNG/West Papua Border Highway represents a strategic national development corridor that has the potential to connect some of Papua New Guinea's most remote communities, strengthen border security, facilitate trade, and unlock new economic opportunities.

Through the Connect PNG Programme, the Pangu-led Marape-Rosso Government continues to expand the nation's road network by building roads across rugged mountains, steep cliffs, rivers, and dense forests—working to ensure that no community is left behind.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, the Government continues to invest in critical infrastructure across the country to connect missing links and open up isolated regions. These investments aim to improve access to markets, education, healthcare, and essential government services for rural Papua New Guineans.

As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of Independence, road infrastructure is becoming a catalyst for economic participation and inclusive development, bringing long-awaited opportunities to communities that have remained disconnected for generations.

*Images: Oksapmin–Telefomin–Western Province–PNG/West Papua Border Highway road works in progress, connecting the missing links through the Connect PNG Programme of the Pangu-led Marape-Rosso Government.*

This is the Pangu-led Marape-Rosso Government at work—building roads, connecting people, and creating pathways for a stronger and more prosperous Papua New Guinea. 🇵🇬

29/07/2026

Department of Works & Highways administer and regulate the Building Act Chapter 301 throughout Papua New Guinea says Works & Highways Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba.
Mr. Holemba made those remarks when he was delivering his keynote address at the 2026 NCDC Building Authority Seminar held in Port Moresby’s Hilton Hotel hosted by the National Capital District Commission and City Manager Mr. Frank Ravu.
The Seminar’s theme: “Transformation through Building Compliance and City Development” saw participants from NCDC Building and Engineering Division, DoWH Building Inspectors from 21 provincial establishment, Industry players, developers and investors where all in attendance.
Mr. Holemba spoke eloquently to the participants to uphold ethics, professionalism, integrity, upskilling and flavoring creativity by contextualizing PNG designs into construction and building infrastructure projects as home-grown architects, engineers, planners and builders ply their trade in transforming Port Moresby City at the back drop of the exponential boom in urban skyline growth and metropolitan city expansion with spillover effect of Government sanctioned urbanization and development into cities like Lae, Mt Hagen and Kokopo.
The Building Act and Regulations controls all building activity with in the country whether its construction or alteration of big buildings. Over the last 50 years Papua New Guinea building and construction industry have transformed from constructing low buildings to high rise buildings. In my department we now changing the building designs standards from low set L40 – 865 to now ultimatum designs to meet the current demands driven by the economic growth and increase in population.
We got to change the way we design our buildings like classrooms, police stations, hospitals, bus stop and public amenities to provides better, efficient services to meet the current demands of our citizens. The focus should be long lasting outcomes rather than short term gains and, in that way, we can gain more support for investors’ confidence in our institutions for real estate developers and social inclusion for our people in renewing public trust in the Government system.
This seminar provides an avenue for us to come together and find ways and solutions to improve the building and construction industry systems that is practical, efficient and workable that will better serve our people, the developers and investors interest accordingly. This kind of seminar is good for the industry and institution and must be encouraged to be held annually or biannually.
Photograph by Gevokila – Department of Works & Highways Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba, FIEPNG, REG, ENG

28/07/2026

Department of Works and Highways | Building and Architect Division | Project | Kumul Training Center | 2026 NCDC Building Authority Seminar | Preview of DoWH Project compliance | Venue: Hilton Hotel | Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm | Date: 29th July 2026 | Keynote Speaker: DoWH Secretary Mr Gibson Holemba |

28/07/2026

Department of Works and Highways| Trans National Highway Corridor | Connect PNG Program 2020 - 2040 | Lae to Port Moresby| Trans National Highway| Gulf Section| Awamanga Mountain Over looking kerema town | DoWH Works Gulf /Morobe Team doing gravel and culvert works during the dry season it's easy to work.

26/07/2026

Department of Works and Highways | National Capital District Commission | Building Design and Permit Custodian | DoWH Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba| Keynote Speaker | Wednesday July 29th 2026 | Venue : Hilton Hotel | Time : 8.30am to 5.00pm | Registration Fee : K150 | Booth set up: K5000 | RSVP: NCDC Building Authority Branch | Contact Details: 325 0631/0621/0622 | Email : [email protected] or [email protected]

25/07/2026

Department of Works and Highways| 14,000 followers and counting| Thanks for the support and love we received from our followers. We continue to grow our following to reach 30k by end of 2026...

23/07/2026

DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 July 2026

SECRETARY FOR WORKS AND HIGHWAYS CALLS FOR FACT-BASED DISCUSSION ON THE SIR IAMBAKEY OKUK HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY

The Secretary for the Department of Works and Highways, Mr. Gibson Ali Holemba, has reaffirmed that maintenance and major upgrade works on the Sir Iambakey Okuk Highlands Highway are actively progressing, urging Papua New Guineans to avoid politicising national infrastructure that is critical to the country’s economy and people.

Mr. Holemba said the National Government has consistently allocated funding for routine road maintenance, rehabilitation, and major reconstruction works along the Highlands Highway, with contractors continuing to undertake works across various sections of the corridor.

“I personally drove from Lae to Goroka and returned on the same day just two weeks ago. The condition of the highway is significantly better than it was previously, and maintenance works are continuing,” Mr. Holemba said.

He noted that the current Government has made unprecedented investments in the country’s most important transport corridor, extending from Lae through to Kopiago, while also delivering transformative infrastructure under the Connect PNG Programme.

“Road maintenance funding has been provided and works are ongoing. The Highlands Highway alone has received an unprecedented level of investment. Between Nadzab and Mount Hagen, approximately K4 billion has been invested in upgrading this vital economic corridor.”

Mr. Holemba highlighted that one of the most significant achievements has been the replacement of aging bridges, with 71 new two-lane bridges now constructed between Nadzab and Mount Hagen, substantially improving safety, freight efficiency, and transport reliability.

He said while there remain challenging sections of the highway requiring major engineering solutions, these areas have already been identified and are being addressed through long-term development planning.

“The critical sections through Kassam Pass, Daulo Pass and parts of Simbu Province are currently under detailed engineering design and form part of the Asian Development Bank-supported Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme, Loan Tranche 3. These projects are intended to provide permanent engineering solutions rather than temporary repairs.”

Mr. Holemba said the Connect PNG Programme is delivering benefits well beyond the Highlands Highway by opening new economic corridors, connecting remote communities, improving access to government services, and stimulating economic growth throughout Papua New Guinea.

“Connect PNG is making a real difference not only in remote districts but also in our towns and cities. Thousands of Papua New Guineans are already benefiting from safer roads, new bridges, improved connectivity and better access to markets, schools and health services.”

He urged all stakeholders to engage in balanced and constructive discussions on national infrastructure.

“It is important that we acknowledge both the challenges that remain and the substantial progress that has already been achieved. Road infrastructure is not a political issue—it is a national development priority that directly affects the livelihoods of our people.”

“Let us give credit where credit is due and continue working together to build a safer, stronger and better-connected Papua New Guinea.”

Ends.