Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), Koney Samuel visited the Wutung Boarder Post as part of the 2025 Inter-departmental Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Program, led by his department. Prior to that Secretary Samuel and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the West Sepik Provincial Administration where they were received by Timothy Teklan, Deputy Provincial Administrator and his team. Secretary Samuel explained that the purpose of the M&E Exercise was to assess the impact of government funded investments including development partner grants and concessional loans. DNPM stated that the Secretary and M&E Technical Team saw first-hand the state of the Wutung Border Post and the Wutung Trade Centre. "They were shown around by the Border Coordinator for Wutung Border Post, Elliuda Amo, from Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA)." Mr. Samuel highlighted the need for a collective approach to development in key localities of investments such as the Wutung border area. Noting the state of the assets at the border and the potential for exports and economic boost of the greater Sepik Region and PNG, he recommended for a relook at the intergovernmental working committee on the Wutung Border Post to include the Connect PNG roads, the Wutung Trade Center and the power and water issues affecting the full operation and functionality of the asset. "We need to create impact from this border post; we must have a return on investment from it." “West Sepik Province is strategically located on the border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia." "We are at a critical juncture in our history where we need to assess ourselves and see if the development on the ground matches the 50 years of our journey as a country." "What are the opportunities that we have failed to capitalize on? What are the challenges?” DNPM Deputy Secretary for Programming and Monitoring Wing, Roger Kara explained that the M&E Program team are on the ground doing site visits, assessment on the Capital Investment Programs focusing on the period 2022 – 2024 to see progress and compile a report that will be presented to Government before the Independence Anniversary Celebrations. He said the M&E process will contribute to the ongoing Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP IV) 2023–2027 and inform future investment strategies. The exercise is a joint collaboration between DNPM and key agencies—Treasury, Finance, Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA), and Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD).