Tapini Local Level Government (LLG) President Buni Morua has welcomed the acquisition of a new patrol grader by the Central Provincial Government, describing it as a vital investment in opening up remote communities and improving road connectivity across all three LLGs in Goilala District.

Speaking during a press conference marking the arrival of the machinery, Mr. Morua said the grader will address longstanding road access challenges faced by rural residents—particularly those living along the Tapini–Kerau feeder road and other neglected district networks.

He noted that the initiative reflects a shared commitment between the Central Provincial Government, Goilala Open MP Hon. Casmiro Aia, and the Tapini LLG leadership to deliver tangible development to isolated villages rather than concentrating infrastructure solely around main government stations.

Mr. Morua also acknowledged ongoing patrol grading and roadworks along the 96-kilometre Mona Highway (Aropokina–Tapini), which is funded by the Central Provincial Government and implemented by the Tapini LLG under a Plant and Transport Branch (PTB) arrangement. He described the partnership as a cost-effective step toward improving connectivity and creating economic opportunities for Goilala communities.

"Development must reach our people in the rural communities. These are the same people who voted for us and entrusted us with the responsibility to represent them. We must make sure they also benefit from government services and development," Mr. Morua said.

Purchased by the Central Provincial Government, the new patrol grader will undertake maintenance and improvement works along the Tapini–Kerau feeder road while also supporting upgrades on two other major feeder roads serving Guari and Woitape LLGs.

Central Governor Hon. Rufina Peter reinforced Mr. Morua’s remarks, confirming that the provincial government and the Goilala Open Member are working closely together to open up feeder roads across all three LLGs.

"That is the key point. The Member and I are working together to open up all the feeder roads in all three LLGs, and I want to thank him for doing so," Governor Peter said.

She explained that the road improvement program forms part of the provincial government’s broader development agenda—2023 to 2027: Empowering Human Capital to Drive Change—which seeks to connect rural communities to markets, healthcare, education, and law and order services.

Governor Peter highlighted the urgency of restoring state presence in Guari LLG, where communities have gone without direct government services for approximately three decades.

"By the time we open that road at Guari Station, it will be the first time in 30 years the people of Guari LLG will see government presence in the LLG," she stated.

To support this restoration, a new police post and a two-bedroom police residence are currently under construction at Guari Station, with plans to establish an on-site agricultural buying point immediately afterward to bring markets directly to rural farmers.

In a special appeal, Governor Peter called on displaced residents originally from Guari LLG—particularly members of the Rabia Gini community currently residing in Port Moresby—to consider returning to their traditional lands to participate in the district's ongoing development.

She encouraged communities to take advantage of emerging opportunities in agriculture, especially coffee production, as transport, communication, and market infrastructure improve across Goilala. Enabling residents to earn sustainable livelihoods at home, she added, is key to reducing the hardships of urban settlement life driven by rural-urban migration.

Ward 6 community leader Alan Kaurupu also welcomed the arrival of the patrol grader, thanking Governor Peter, President Morua, the Goilala District Development Authority (DDA), and technical officers for recognizing the transport struggles endured by communities around Aivara and Kerau.

Meanwhile, Governor Peter urged all ward councillors and community leaders to work closely with their respective LLG presidents to mobilize local support when the machinery and work teams arrive in their wards.

"Our appeal now is that ward members work with the president. They need to get back to their respective wards in the district and start communicating with their people so that as the machines arrive at their villages and wards, the community contributes by assisting in whatever way they can," Governor Peter concluded.