A colourful groundbreaking ceremony was staged last Friday at the Madang main bus stop in the heart of Madang town. The ceremony witnessed Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa present a cheque worth K5 million to the Madang Provincial Works Manager, John Pora, to kick-start major upgrades of the Madang Central Business District (CBD) roads. Governor Pariwa, in his opening address, thanked the national government for Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) funds as this is where the money for the road upgrading comes from. He also clarified that he has not forgotten the major district trunk roads in the province, but said they will start with the provincial headquarters and then go out to the main roads linking the districts. “These roads would be funded later; however, we are starting with the Madang CBD because it is where shops and businesses are done and also people from the districts converge,” he said. Pariwa said the streets within Madang CBD will be upgraded and properly sealed, and pavements will be constructed for pedestrians to walk plus, streetlights will be added to light up the town. He also gave his commitment to have additional funding available to ensure the project is completed. The decision to upgrade the roads in Madang CBD was highly praised by Madang Town Mayor and Madang Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kevin Murray. The K5 million project was given to the Madang Department of Works and Highways to carry out the major road upgrades.