Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says least-developed districts of Papua New Guinea like Koroba-Kopiago in Hela are for the first time seeing development.
He said this in Koroba on Friday (December 16, 2022) when launching the sealing of the last section of the Highlands Highway from Halimbu to Koroba at a cost of K88.89 million.
A 10 per cent upfront payment of K8.889 million was made to the contractor of the road from Halimbu to Koroba on Friday to start work; as well as K8 million for the contractor of another road from Maria to Kopiago.
This comes under the Marape Government’s flagship ‘Connect PNG’ Programme with 30 per cent counterpart funding from Hela Provincial Government – despite it being a national project.
“Koroba-Kopiagio is one of the least developed districts in PNG like Telefomin, Tari-Pori, Karamui, Goilala, Pomio, Kandrian-Gloucester, Nuku, Middle Ramu, Jimi, Samarai-Murua and Esa’ala,” PM Marape told thousands of people at Koroba.
“Over the last two years, we have given over K2 billion worth of contracts for infrastructure development throughout the country, with those in Hela including the roads from Komo to Halimbu, Ambua to Tari, and from Ambua to Mendi.
“Along the Highlands Highway, major roadworks have been completed, including two-lane bridges all the way from Lae to Mt Hagen.
“The Works Minister and Works Secretary recently launched construction of the road from Vanimo to Aitape, and from Aitape to Wewak.
“These are just a few of the many road projects being developed with this K2 billion.
“Over the next three years, we will be issuing another K5 billion worth of road projects throughout PNG, and Koroba is also included in this programme.
“The road from Halimbu to Koroba is being built at a cost of K88 million, Maria to Kopiago K90 million, as well as various others.
“I want this last section of the Highlands Highway from Halimbu to Koroba to be completed over the next five years so that you are no longer a ‘forgotten place’.
“I am here to show you today that you are not forgotten by the Government of PNG.”
PM Marape thanked the Hela Provincial Government of Governor Hon. Philip Undialu for the 30 per cent counterpart funding.
“This type of counterpart funding has never been done before for a national highway,” he said.
“The road from Halimbu to Koroba is a national highway, however, I thank the Hela Provincial Government for bearing 30 per cent of the costs when it did not have to.”
PM Marape said this money would be reimbursed through the National Government funding a provincial road in Hela.
He said what Hela had done was a good example for other provincial governments in the country.
