Prime Minister James Marape has launched a K316 million package of roads, bridges and community infrastructure aimed at connecting more than 85% of Papua New Guineans who remain in rural enclaves.
Speaking on the banks of the Vailala River at Ihu Station, the Prime Minister said the projects were about “unlocking and connecting” people who have been locked out of services for too long.
“My children at the banks of Vailala river, Ihu station, over 85% of my people still remain in the rural enclaves of PNG, that's why my government continue to pass resources to districts and provinces so each leader look after development needs prevalent there,” PM Marape told a crowd of Ihu families and school children.
“So, it is good to see roads being developed here and happy to open a modern market here the banks of Vailala in the home of Papua LNG.”
The visit, held under the theme ‘Connecting Communities, Empowering People, and Advancing Development in Kikori’, saw the Prime Minister launch six major projects for East and West Ihu Local Level Governments:
1. Ihu–Muro Road Project – K176 million
2. Vailala River Bridge – K126 million
3. Keuru Bridge to Vailala River Road Soil Stabilisation Works – K10 million
4. Multi-Purpose Community Centre – K1.4 million
5. Official Opening of Ihu Market – K0.7 million
6. Baimuru Market – K1.92 million
The new Ihu Market and Baimuru Market are expected to give local farmers, fishermen and women vendors direct access to sell produce without travelling long distances by
Prime Minister also highlighted that the timing of the visit was significant, with Gulf Province at the centre of the upcoming Papua LNG project.
“Good news on Papua LNG will break soon, and I am here in the heartland of this important project with people and children from whose land the resources will be extracted from,” he said.
He urged the landowners and the youths to be prepared to take part in jobs, business and service opportunities that will flow from the project, while calling on public servants to lift their performance.
“Compatriots let's all work, especially those of us who earn from the public purses. Work your heart out for your country and our people,” Marape said.
The Ihu launch is the latest in the Marape-Rosso Government’s push to decentralise funding and infrastructure to districts and provinces. With more than K316 million committed to Kikori alone, the Government says it is putting money where the majority of the population lives.
