DoWH launches 50th anniversary logo, reflecting on progress
Department of Works and Highways [DOWH] officially launched and unveiled its 50th-anniversary logo, marking a milestone in its remarkable journey of infrastructure development over the past five decades.
The logo, launched in a grand ceremony witnessed by long-serving current and former staff and consultants and symbolized the department's reflection of past 50 yrs and commitment to future infrastructure innovation and sustainable development.
DoWH Secretary Gibson Holemba said this celebration highlights the critical role DOWH continues to play in shaping the country’s progress and infrastructure excellence.
Minister for Works and Highways, Solan Mirism said DoWH is the first department of government institutions established in this country.
He said the DoWH is also the first government institution to launch the logo ahead of the 50th anniversary.
While reflecting on the past 50 years, Minister Mirism was impressed by the legacy of strength and progress.
"Past 50 years is a legacy, and it's a strength, so our story did not begin in 1975. It was laid in the foundations of hard work decades before.
"In 1953, during the post-war reconstruction era, the Command World Department of Works or COMWORKS was established in Konedebu, National Capital District, to restore transport works, government buildings and public infrastructure.
"By 1969, as Papua New Guinea prepared to host the second South Pacific Games, we saw the first major infrastructure boom that time in 1969. The construction of the Games Village at Four Mile marked a turning point and prompted the relocation of the Department of Works to its current headquarters.
"In 1973, as we approached self-government, the Department of Works emerged as one of the country's first institutions.
"That's why we are the first institution to launch the first logo, 50 years ago," Mirism said.
He added that when PNG gained political independence in 1975, the challenge was clear where connectable people build the economy and shape the future defined by process or progress.
He said the Department of Works and Highways became the pillar of infrastructure development, driving connectivity, and growing through constructions on roads, bridges, and essential public facilities.
"Through the 1980s and 1990s, Papua New Guinea experienced rapid transformation as our engineers, builders, and leaders worked to strengthen our transport network, highways, provincial roads, ports, and bridges became the lifeline of commerce, agriculture, and trade.
"In the 2000s and 2010s, our nation embraced modernization that amidst the emergence of expansion of urban centers and technologies advancement in contribute construction challenges as to think beyond conventional infrastructure.
"We moved from just building roads to building economic corridors that link our rural communities to new opportunities.
"In 2020 and beyond, Papua New Guinea embarked on a new era of strategic infrastructure investment with the program called PNG-Connect, an ambitious 20-year plan designed to unify the country to a fully integrated national road network," Mirism said.
Meanwhile, prior to 50th Golden Jubilee, the Department is looking forward to hosting events in the respective province each month leading up to the celebration.
