Prime Minister, James Marape has praised the progress of major road infrastructure developments in West New Britain Province, describing the growing connection between roads, agriculture, and local economic participation as a “powerful model” for the rest of Papua New Guinea.
Speaking after travelling along the improving road corridor linking Kimbe in West New Britain Province and Kokopo in East New Britain Province and observing the expansion of oil palm developments alongside the road network, Prime Minister Marape said the visible transformation demonstrates how infrastructure investment can unlock economic growth and empower communities.
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“It is good to see that the new road, or the improved road we are doing from Kimbe to Kokopo, is taking shape,” Prime Minister Marape said in a statement this evening.
“But more importantly for me, this road is opening up agriculture potential. It is encouraging to see oil palm growing along the sides of the road.”
“This shows clearly that when Government invests in roads, agriculture must expand alongside it,” he added.
Prime Minister Marape noted that the road corridor is not only improving connectivity between West New Britain Province and East New Britain Province, but is also creating opportunities for rural landowners, local farmers, and businesses to participate meaningfully in economic activity.
The Prime Minister specifically acknowledged the efforts of the West New Britain Provincial Government, local districts, landowners, and oil palm stakeholders, including Hargy Oil Palms Limited, for working together to maximize the economic benefits arising from the National Government’s infrastructure investments.
“I want all Provincial Governments to observe what East and West New Britain are trying to do. They are aligning road development with land access and getting their people involved in agriculture development,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
He said the visible expansion of oil palm developments along the road corridor is evidence that infrastructure development can directly stimulate productive use of customary land while generating income and employment for local communities.
“This is a clear depiction that some provinces are embracing the National Government’s development direction — where roads go, agriculture must follow.”
“Five years ago when I travelled this area, there was no sealed highway or extended oil palm areas as it is now.”
“So, I am happy this economic development is taking place,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Marape stressed that roads should not merely serve as transport corridors but must become catalysts for broad-based economic growth in agriculture, tourism, fisheries, forestry, and other productive sectors.
“May this road not be wasted. May this road become an agriculture road, a tourism road, a fisheries road, and a forestry road,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the Marape-Rosso Government remains committed to the Connect PNG vision of linking the country through modern infrastructure while ensuring that economic activity grows around those investments to improve livelihoods and create lasting prosperity for Papua New Guineans.
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“The road investments we are making must translate into real opportunities for our people. Roads must connect our citizens not only to each other, but also to markets, jobs, services, and economic participation,” Prime Minister Marape added.