The Pomio District Development Authority (DDA) is continuing its bridge construction program this year, which started three years ago. So far, the DDA has completed six bridges in the district. Pomio MP and Health Minister Elias Kapavore praised the national government’s Connect PNG Program for supporting the district’s infrastructure needs. He noted that Pomio has around 50 major rivers requiring bridges due to its large land area. " "Every year, we must at least build a big bridge, between 60 and 100 meters, as well as a small bridge measuring between 30 - 40m," Kapavore said. The six completed bridges include the 35-meter Kepe Yet, 84-meter Toto, 95-meter Unung, 30-meter Ngelngel bridges, the redecking of the 76-meter Matale bridge, and the 45-meter Kilak bridge. Currently, two more bridges are under construction. The 40-meter Malop bridge will connect West Pomio and Central Pomio LLGs. The larger 240-meter Tolo bridge will link two oil palm blocks for Gilford Limited, part of the RH Group. The Tolo bridge, costing K9.9 million, will be co-funded by the DDA and Gilford. "The DDA will counter fund with K4.7 million while the company will cater for the balance of K5.2 million," Kapavore said. "The Tolo river is similar to Merai river but is much wider and faster as it consists of various river systems connecting from the mountains to the coast." The Tolo river, which connects the Melkoi and Mamusi Yana LLGs, poses challenges, especially during heavy rains. The bridge will be a hybrid, part steel and part Bailey bridge. Another major project, the Melkoi bridge, will also be a hybrid and is expected to be 200 meters long. "Initially, the Melkoi bridge was supposed to be 100 meters, but the Works Department’s scope now puts it at 200 meters," Kapavore added. Aside from bridges, the DDA is focused on road construction to improve connectivity in the district. Minister Kapavore said improving infrastructures for the LLGs in the district such as building bridges, is a key pillar of the district plan, based on connectivity, socio-economic empowerment and integral human development, and good governance. The Pomio DDA is also focused on road construction as part of enhancing connectivity in the district. "While work on the missing link along the south coast is still continuing, we are also constructing a road up to Kapkena in the Inland Pomio LLG, which is a new LLG," Minister Kapavore explained. "The LLG staff have already been recruited but are currently based at the Central Pomio LLG." "There's another important road under construction, leading to Mamusi One (1) which connects 10 wards, a health center, 4 aid posts and 4 primary schools and that is where I come from," he said.