COMMUNITIES living along the Transgogol road from Bau in the Ambenob Local Level Government (LLG) up to Mawan in the Transgogol LLG of Madang will now have access to better upgraded road system as contractors have begun road works in this inland part of Madang Province.
The road upgrade project, funded by the Madang Provincial Government under the leadership of the Provincial Member and Governor, Ramsey Pariwa, at the cost of K500,000 has seen contractor Kobimel Construction commencing work last week with 2 kilometres already cleared.
During the launch of the road upgrade program on Tueday, 18th November 2025 at Bau Village, mothers who frequent the markets, PMV owners and the community at large, expressed gratitude towards their government for this vital infrastructure which was neglected for the past 7 years.
Sofain Niku, a mother from Efu village who frequents the market at 4 Mile to sell betelnuts and garden food said lack of transportation especially PMVs has been an issue which affects them.
"Every day we do marketing but because of the road, we do not have many PMVs travelling to town and back and it affects our routine to sell our products and buy basic necessities from the store," Niku said.
"Sometimes our children who attend schools in town turn up late for classes and our families who are working are also late for work," she said.
Niku said drunken youths sometimes capitalize on the situatuon and intimidate them while they travel to the markets and back especially on the weekends.
Nillah Kikireng, another mother who is married to Dahe Village shared similar sentiments saying most times they become stranded at the markets at 4 Mile and town late in the afternoons because PMVs refused to operate late due to law and order issues where youths stop PMVs along the worst parts of the highway.
Ambenob LLG Ward 20 Councilor, Jonah Gulul, whose area stretches from Suyau Mountain all the way to Weliwel Village along the road project upgrade area says the road upgrade is a relief for the simple people in the village.
"The project gives hope to us the villages along this part if the highway and those inlands who frequent the highway daily to access basic services, mothers going to the market and students who attend schools in town and those working," Gulul said.
"For 7 solid years we've seen this road condition worsen because of neglect by our government," he said.
"We are a bit okay but my heart cries for our people at the back like Mawan and those along the Utu road and further inland," Gulul said.
New Ambenon LLG Ward 21 Councilor, Libok Sawan, who also expressed the same sentiments as his counterpart, Jonah Gulul, said the negligence of this particular economically viable infrastructure clearly indicates the negligence from the Madang District Administration.
"This road is our lifeline to access government services such as schools and aid posts and we appreciate the Madang Provincial Government for allocating funding for its upgrade and thanked the Governor for coming down to our level and addressing our needs," Sawan said.
Upon thanking the Governor for engaging a local contractor who understands the geography of the area, Sawan added that locals have PMVs but with the road condition, it's costly to maintain them.
Provincial Member and Governor for Madang, Ramsey Pariwa, who skipped a day of Parliament sitting to attend the program told the people that he understands their needs as road infrastructure is the vital connection for the rural population to basic government service and contributes to economic development.
"My first reason for funding the road upgrade is because of the education service. We have two schools here, Transgogol High School and Bau Vocational and with better road access, our children will travel to and from school with ease to get educated and contribute to nation building," Pariwa said.
"Secondly, is because we have plans in place to extend this road connection from Mawan to Wanuma. We have approved their new LLG and it's only proper that we give them road access," he said.
Madang PTD Works Project Supervisor Michael Sakarim assured the people that the DoWH will be on standby to support the contractor Kobimel Construction wherever necessary to ensure that the upgrade is completed on time and within budget to ensure smooth flow of services.
"2014 was when I last saw the condition of the road and seeing its current status now, I am saddened by what I see," he said.
"Our machines from DoWH will come and support this upgrade project," Sakarim said.
"The Governor has put funding into Works for road projects to service the people not only in this area, but also in other parts of the province and we are commited to play our part in this road projects," he said.
Meantime, Sakarim assured the Governor that the Transgogol to Poata road works which will continue to Akraski and Ramu River is progressing.
Kobimel Construction Director, Sule Kuri, gave assurance to the Madang Provincial Government and the people that his team is committed to complete the project as per their contract within the given time and budget.
