Commissioning of the 17-kilometer missing link of the Highway Corrdior of Sinivit Local Level Government in Pomio District in East New Britain Province (ENBP) was done recently. The connection of this road network should reduce travel time to just 4 hours. Over the years, the airstrips deteriorated and become non-existent, forcing the travelling public to take alternative means into the Kokopo, which were usually risky. Over the sea, the introduction of the MV Pomio back in 2021 eased the burden of travel, however, this missing link of a road, when completed, will be the easiest route to take. East New Britain Provincial Administrator commended the leadership of the district and province, as well as the host of communities along this missing link, for their cooperation and for creating a conducive environment for the project to carried out. “I also want to thank the contractor which was identified and has started working on the road,” he said. Host Pomio MP Elias Kapavore said that the construction of the Illi to Karong road is in response to a request put through to the Prime Minister, after he was invited to join the ruling PANGU Pati, following the 2022 National General Elections. “I told Prime Minister James Marape that I didn’t want a ministry, but instead asked for the connection of the missing link from Merai to Illi and then to Karong and Marunga.” “After supplying the scope of works, a funding of around K10 million was approved for the project,” he said. The Pomio MP further explained that his second request was for the national government to assist in the purchase of a new ship for the district. “The current MV Pomio goes all the way to Kandrian in West New Britain province and a lot of times when it comes back to the district, it is usually full and cannot cater for the produce from the district.” “For this request, a funding of about K8m was approved forthwith,” he said. Mr. Kapavore announced that the sequel for the district’s ship, ‘MV Pomio 2’ is expected to arrive in the province and district by next year. He said that the road project was supposed to commence at Illi but he requested that the distance be extended further back to Merai, after the river, then to Illi, all the way to Karong and then to Marunga. The road project is being aided with the installation of 2 Bailey bridges at Merai river and Kilak river, both within Sinivit LLG.