Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on all his Ministers, Government Departments and Agencies “not to waste time” when it comes to delivering key impact projects.
The Prime Minister sounded this message in no uncertain terms when launching the Edevu Hydropower Reservoir Impoundment at Edevu in Koiari, Central, on Friday, April 21, 2023.
The reservoir impoundment is a major step towards commencement of the massive K770 million Edevu Hydropower Project along the Brown River.
Chinese investor PNG Hydro Development Ltd has invested K650 million while the Government is partnering by way of K120 million for a 132KV transmission line from Edevu to Port Moresby which is already under construction.
“Many times, our system of government is so cumbersome that we sit in the way of this sort of project being moved,” PM Marape said, alluding to the fact that it had been on the drawing board since 2009 and was only now becoming reality.
“How come this project is only now being delivered 15 years after being first sanctioned? How come this powerline is only being put today in 2023 after the project was first mooted in 2009?
“Time lost is money lost. To all my ministers, agencies, secretaries, MDs: ‘Don’t waste time, for goodness’ sake.
“Don’t sit back and expect that something must happen first before it is moved.
“These are key economic enablers and transformational projects that must take haste without compromising our country’s laws. Hurry up and deliver such projects. What needs to be done must be done with haste.
“Let’s make things happen because mothers are dying, children are dying, people are dying and we are not moving because we are stuck in the status quo of mediocrity.”
