PETROMIN NEWS
Petromin Pushes Ahead with Tolukuma Road Project
Petromin PNG Holdings is committing funds and equipment to build the planned access road from Tolukuma to Fane in the Central Province.
This road will connect the Tolukuma Gold Mine and community to the rest of Central Province, reducing both the operating costs at the gold mine as well improving the lives of the Goilala people.
Speaking at the opening of Petromin Saki exploration & drilling program, CEO and MD Joshua Kalinoe said Petromin is already pushing ahead with the project engaging consultants Cardno Acil to complete a feasibility study by March.
This study will be presented to Central Governor Alphonse Moroi and his fellow Central MPs to take to the National Government for support.
In the meantime Petromin will be constructing a mining road using its own resources.
Mr Kalinoe said Petromin recently purchased a bulldozer and an excavator which will be flown in to the project site to commence the construction work.
He said the road will either be cut through to Niaive or Bukaido and connect to Tapini highway.
Mr Kalinoe said the Department of Works, Treasury and Transport are supportive of the road project.
He said that if the exploration program is successful at Saki, the road will connect to Saki and possibly all the way to Woitape.
The Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare pledged the Government’s commitment to the project in 2007 during the official Tolukuma Gold Mine handing over ceremony between Petromin and previous owners.
entral Governor Alphonse has been calling for the road to be implemented since his election and has expressed his Governments support of Petromin for the undertaking.
Goliala MP and Government Whip Mathew Poiya said the road will bring much need services to the Goilala and Woitape areas and he wanted his people to support Petromin and the Government activities.
