Secretary of the Department of Works & Highways, Gibson Holemba, has issued a formal response rejecting media claims that the cost of the recently completed Lealea Footbridge in Central Province was excessive and unjustified.
The controversy stems from a widely circulated article published on 31 July 2025, titled “K15 Million for a Footbridge? Public Shocked by Bloated Price Tag,” which claimed that the bridge was just 22 metres long and questioned the K15.41 million price tag. According to Secretary Holemba, the article is “factually inaccurate and technically misleading,” and fails to reflect the complexity, scope, and procurement integrity of the project.
In his statement, Holemba clarified that the footbridge spans 220 metres—not 22—and is the longest marine pedestrian bridge in Papua New Guinea. It stretches from the Napanapa Highway to Lealea 2nd Village and is constructed using marine-grade Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) piles, a first of its kind in the country. The design is intended to withstand tidal conditions and has a projected lifespan of 50 to 70 years with minimal maintenance.
The Secretary explained that the K15.41 million cost—excluding GST—covers a range of specialised activities and materials. These include topographic and marine surveys, geotechnical drilling, custom fabrication of structural components, offshore piling, marine barge operations, and the importation of corrosion-resistant materials such as FRP and 316-grade stainless steel. Foreign exchange limitations and freight logistics from Australia also contributed to the final cost.
He rejected comparisons to inland structures like the Yalu Bridge, stating that such comparisons overlook key environmental and technical differences. “This is not a typical freshwater bridge,” Holemba said. “It is a high-performance structure built for a marine environment and constructed to international standards.”
The project was implemented under the PNG LNG Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (ITCS), with multiple layers of oversight from the Department of Works & Highways, independent technical advisers, and third-party engineering auditors. Procurement was milestone-based, performance-driven, and benchmarked against international standards. Holemba stated there was no political or commercial interference at any stage.
Local content was a key component of the project. Twenty-two local workers were directly employed, alongside more than 40 others and five SMEs. The project logged over 70,000 man-hours without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI), reflecting high standards in safety and workforce management.
Holemba also addressed allegations of fraud, stating that every expenditure was documented and supported by certified Bills of Quantity, verified invoices, customs documentation, and third-party inspection reports. “These baseless allegations are damaging not just to the Department, but to the broader effort to deliver quality infrastructure in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The Secretary emphasised the social and economic impact of the bridge, which now serves over 11,000 residents in Wards 15 and 16. The bridge provides reliable access to schools, healthcare services, markets, and emergency support, reducing reliance on unsafe canoe crossings.
“The Lealea Footbridge is not just an engineering feat—it is a critical enabler of rural development and community connectivity,” Holemba said. He called on media outlets to report responsibly, urging them to seek technical verification before publishing commentary that may mislead the public or undermine confidence in national development efforts.