ADB okays US$41mil navigational aids loan

Source: The National, Friday 21st December, 2012 THE Asian Development Bank has approved a US$41.5 million loan to improve navigational aids in Papua New Guinea. This will allow ships to move safely through the largely unchartered and often unsafe waters. “The maritime and waterways safety project will upgrade the existing navigational aids network, reducing risks such as the blockage of channels, which cause serious injury, loss of life, and environmental damage,” Xianbin Yao, director-general of ADB’s Pacific department, said in a statement. “The project will establish a safe and efficient maritime transport environment for national, regional, and international traffic,” he said. “Remote, rural populations are expected to be the main beneficiaries of the project, which will make maritime safety information more readily available and help develop maritime safety communities of practice. “Maritime transport services will benefit as monitoring and surveillance systems are renovated and search and rescue capacity improved. “More effective beacons or lighthouses are expected to boost local and international shipping and trade.” The National Maritime Safety Authority is responsible for maritime safety, search and rescue operations and maritime environment issues in Papua New Guinea. In 2008, the PNG government, NMSA and ADB, through the government’s rehabilitation of the maritime navigation aids system project, helped improve the shipping service environment by improving navigational aids along mainly international shipping routes. The project established a community engagement programme through which provincial and community lighthouse committees monitored and kept the navigational aids in good condition, boosting community ownership, while providing income generating opportunities and encouraging the participation of women in the project. NMSA general manager Chris Rupen said: “This project will have significant benefits for the 65% of PNG’s people who live in coastal regions.”