The pioneer Minister for Housing, Works and Supply, Sir Yano Belo today reflected on the challenges the Department of Works and Supply was facing in constructing additional roads and bridges in the country after independence.

The organization is now rebranded to the Department of Works and Highways.

Taking over from the Australian colonizers, Sir Yano said the country lacked qualified civil engineers to build roads and bridges.

He continued that he travelled overseas to scout around and hire them to develop the new-born country.

The former Kagua-Erave MP stated that he sought assistance from his Australian Government which deployed its Defense Force personnel who built roads and bridges in the country, especially in the Western End of the Highlands region.

Sir Yano reflected that now the country has produced a lot of engineers.

The 82-year-old Southern Highlander urged that these pools of engineers cannot be taken for granted.

Despite financial constraints, he said, within budgets the department procured and delivered some of the iconic and durable infrastructures which are still being used today.

He cited the National Parliament, Western Highlands to Southern Highlands Highway and Tatana Island Causeway.

The Parliament was built at a cost of K31 million, he said.

Sir Yano was invited by the current Minister for Works and Highways, Solan Mirisim to speak at a small but a significant Independence celebration event at 4-Mile in Port Moresby.