The Nadzab Airport in Lae, Morobe Province, will be changed to TOMODACHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
This was announced by the Minister Transport and Civil Aviation Mr. Walter David Schnaubelt when he accompanied the JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka to the construction site of the Nadzab Airports, as part of an official visit by the JICA President to the country over the last couple of days.
Minister Schnaubelt said this name change is an expression of his appreciation for JICA’s support for the project and is an idea from the PNG Prime Minister James Marape to express the close relationship between the two countries, as TOMODACHI means “Friend” in Japanese language.
Lae, the second largest economic city in PNG, and it’s Nadzab Airport will be ready for both domestic and international flights after the completion of construction and is expected to further develop PNG.
The JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka visited PNG over the past few days with the purpose to exchange views for socio-economic development in the country and to observe the ongoing JICA projects and programs in the country.
Prime Minister James Marape expressed his appreciation for the high quality of projects implemented by JICA and his desire to continue to implement initiatives that will support the development of both countries.
For JICA’s education program, Dr. Tanaka visited the University of PNG and the Educational Media Centre. At the university, he interacted with students in the JICA Chair Program, which opened in February 2022 as a lecture to study the process of Japan’s modernization and economic growth and consider the development of their own country.
At the Educational Media Centre, he inspected several creations through JICA program like the remote teaching materials using the science and mathematics textbooks and the teaching materials and instruction manuals for teacher training programs.
Those are granted, provided, and developed under Japan’s ODA. Dr. Tanaka expressed his hope for JICA education program, saying that children are the future treasure and education is the cornerstone of a country’s development.
JICA is keen to enhance PNG’s development, contributing to the sustainable development of the country, and strengthening bilateral relations.