Gulf Province landowners have approved the long-awaited multi-billion kina Paia Inlet Integrated Development Project.
Gulf Province
The seven billion kina project has been on the drawing boards since 2005.
It includes the redevelopment of regional roads, a seaport development on the Kikori River at Wowobo, an industrial centre and township.
Government agencies assisting the development include the PNG Ports Corporation Ltd, Industrial Centres Development Corporation, Office of Urbanisation & National Housing Corporation.
Aerial view of proposed Paia Inlet port and industrial centre at Wowobo
The port will primarily serve Gulf Province oil and gas projects, as well as the proposed Purari River Hydro development scheme.
The Gulf Provincial Economic Development Authority has set up the PAIA Inlet Infrastructure Development Company (PIIDC), in which the Gulf Provincial government holds a 85 per cent shareholding and Hela province holds 15 per cent.
Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, and the chairman ofPIIDC, said the project would make it the economic hub in the Province.
US-engineering form Aecom will carry out the technical work with KPMG as Project Adviser. A loan for the development has been sought from China’s Exim Bank.