Wabag Open MP Dr Lino Tom on Sunday (January 11, 2026) carried out the groundbreaking for a new bridge and road project linking Teremanda’s Tambai to Mukurisa, improving wider connectivity for the Kungu Yanaitin area at an estimated cost of K500,000.
The funding is basically for the bridge project as Dr Lino called on locals to take ownership over the road construction while cooperating with Wabag DDA for smooth delivery of both services.
The project traces its origins to an earlier initiative by local WANPIS AKO, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Editor of PNG SUN. AKO first mobilized local residents to manually construct the road using spades.
About 100 meters of road was completed before the effort paused. Wabag Local-Level Government (LLG) President Roy Kipalan later contributed K100,000 to continue the work from where it stopped, extending the road to the banks of the Lai River, the designated site for the bridge.
A local contractor has been engaged by the Wabag District Development Authority (WDDA) to construct the bridge.
Lawyer Mek Kuk and Dr Samuel Kopamu worked with the WDDA to source Bailey Bridge materials from the Department of Works and Highways. The materials are now on site, with construction expected to begin immediately.
Launching the project, Dr Tom said the bridge and road would connect communities of the Huge Yanarin Tribe, including Kokop and Kii Paiyaka, who live on the opposite side of the Lai River.
He noted that villages in the area have long been isolated due to the fast-flowing river. Dr Lino is who is also the parliamentary leader of the People’s Party.
The new access road and bridge will also serve as a key route to a proposed college to be established on Kokop land at Mukuris, providing improved access to education and services for surrounding communities.
Dr Lino urged locals to take ownership over the project, saying road and bridges enable other government services to follow suit.
Several leaders and community representatives attended the launch to show support and solidarity.
They included former Wabag Open MP and Principal of Wabag Secondary School Robert Sandan Ganim; Dr Samuel Kopamu, Dean of the School of Science and Technology at Pacific Adventist University; Inter-Government Relations Secretary Philip Leo; PAU Director of Corporate Services and lawyer Mek Kuk; Enga and PNG Women’s President Sabeth Yengis; Wabag Laiyap President Cr Samuel Sapi; Wabag Mai President Roy Kipalan; United Resources Party President and local businessman Mose Kopyoto, local leaders and villagers, all Mai and Laiyap councilors.
The event ended with a ribbon cutting and formal groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of construction.