Prime Minister James Marape says the Connect PNG Programme is laying the foundation for Papua New Guinea’s next 50 years by connecting isolated communities, driving economic growth and opening up the country’s vast development potential.
Launching and commissioning major road infrastructure projects across the Greater Sepik Region in Vanimo on Friday, Mr. Marape said the programme was the biggest national infrastructure initiative since Independence and would transform rural communities through better road access.
He said the Government was not simply constructing roads but building long-term economic corridors that would connect people to schools, hospitals, markets, government services and investment opportunities.
“Our vision is clear. No part of Papua New Guinea must remain isolated,” Mr Marape said in a statement.
“We are building roads because roads bring development. Roads bring education, health services, trade, investment and jobs. Roads unite our people and strengthen our nation.”
Mr Marape said more than 85 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s population lived in rural areas and deserved the same opportunities as people in urban centres.
He said Connect PNG would unlock agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, manufacturing and small business development by improving transport links and reducing the cost of doing business.
“When roads arrive, opportunities arrive,” he said.
“Coffee reaches export markets. Cocoa reaches buyers. Fresh food reaches urban centres. Tourists can travel. Businesses invest. Communities prosper.”
Mr Marape said every kina invested in roads generated long-term economic returns and should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense.
He thanked Sandaun Governor Tony Wouwou, Vanimo-Green MP and Tourism Minister Belden Namah, Public Service Minister and Nuku MP Joe Sungi, Aitape-Lumi MP Anderson Mise, Works Secretary Gibson Holemba, the Sandaun Provincial Administration and local leaders for supporting infrastructure development in the province.
The Prime Minister said the Greater Sepik Region had enormous potential because of its rich agricultural land, forestry resources, fisheries, tourism attractions and proximity to Indonesia.
He said improved roads and the proposed Vanimo Special Economic Zone would create opportunities for trade, downstream processing, manufacturing and investment.
However, he urged people to become productive and invest in commercial agriculture, livestock, tourism and small businesses.
“A free trade zone without production achieves nothing,” he said.
“Our people must produce coffee, cocoa, oil palm, livestock, fisheries products and manufactured goods.”
Mr Marape said Connect PNG had become a long-term national programme backed by legislation, ensuring future governments would continue funding it beyond the 2027 National General Election.
Reflecting on his childhood in the remote Oksapmin area, Mr Marape recalled losing a baby brother in 1978 because his mother could not access medical care in time due to the lack of roads.
“I know what it means to grow up without roads and basic services,” he said.
“That experience drives my commitment to ensure every province, every district and every community has the opportunity to participate in our country’s development.”
He called on the people of Sandaun to maintain peace, educate their children and take advantage of the opportunities that improved infrastructure would bring.
“The Government will continue building the roads, but our people must build the businesses, farms and industries that will travel on those roads,” Mr Marape said.