Prime Minister, James Marape has underscored the transformational role of the Government’s Connect PNG infrastructure program in opening up economic opportunities across Papua New Guinea, particularly through Agriculture and other Renewable Sectors that can create sustainable income and employment for ordinary Papua New Guineans.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the Government’s nationwide Road connectivity agenda, Prime Minister Marape said Roads being developed throughout the country are not merely transport links, but “economic corridors” designed to unlock the productive potential of Customary Land and empower local communities to participate meaningfully in the economy.
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“The Connect PNG Program focus and the Roads we are opening up should be unbundling the economic potential of every Land right across our country,” Prime Minister Marape said in a statement yesterday.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the Government is progressively linking Provinces and Districts through major Road Projects stretching across Papua New Guinea, including from east to west Manus, east to west Sepik, north to south Bougainville, the Buka Ring Road, the Kerema to Alotau corridor through Port Moresby, roads linking Gulf into the Highlands, and strategic links across Morobe, Western Province, New Ireland, West New Britain, and other parts of the country.
He said these Roads are intended to stimulate Agriculture, Tourism, Fisheries, Forestry, and downstream economic activity in areas where people live and own Land.
“All these Roads, especially those closest to ports and economic centers, must be used productively,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Provincial Governments must work with Districts, Local-Level Governments, and Communities so that the Lands alongside these Roads become economically productive.”
The Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea possesses enormous untapped economic potential through its Renewable Sectors, especially Agriculture, where ordinary citizens can generate substantial household incomes from their own Customary Land.
He pointed to the success of smallholder Oil Palm schemes in West New Britain as a model for the rest of the country.
“You have close to 7,000 families engaged in smallholder extension around the nucleus estates, and many families are earning between K4,000 and K6,000 a month,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“That is the type of Revenue we are talking about when we speak of Agriculture — whether in Oil Palm, Coffee, Cocoa, Copra, Fisheries, or Tourism.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s “One Million Jobs” initiative and broader Agricultural expansion programs are intended to replicate these success stories nationwide, enabling more Papua New Guineans to participate in formal economic activity without leaving their villages and communities.
“This country must not be lazy. Money can be earned from wherever you are on your own Land,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that Renewable Sectors remain Papua New Guinea’s “lowest hanging fruit” for broad-based economic growth and job creation, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the population resides.
“Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, and Tourism remain our strongest opportunities for ordinary Papua New Guineans,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“These Sectors can create jobs, empower families, strengthen communities, and grow our economy in a sustainable way while we continue to expand downstream processing and other industries.”
Prime Minister Marape also revealed that before Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence Anniversary on September 16 this year, the Government plans to announce a Policy framework enabling properly registered Customary Land to be used as collateral through the National Banking Corporation and other financing mechanisms.
“Properly registered Traditional Land can become bankable Land,” the Prime Minister said. He said this Reform would further empower Papua New Guineans to access finance and participate more actively in Agriculture, Small Business, Tourism, and other productive Sectors.
The Prime Minister called on Provincial Governments, District Authorities, and Community Leaders throughout the country to work closely with the National Government in ensuring Road connectivity translates into real economic outcomes for local people.
“I ask all Governors and leaders to move quickly into this space and help our people participate in productive economic activities,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“The future prosperity of Papua New Guinea will not only come from Mining and Petroleum, but from empowering our people to utilize their Land, Resources, and God-given opportunities in a productive and sustainable way.”