The Marape- Rosso government flagship Connect PNG Policy is changing the lives of Telefomin people.
This was evident as the Tabubil- Telefomin’ Oksapmin- Kopiago missing link road finally reaching the first village of Telefomin District.
On Wednesday 1st November ( tomorrow) the contractor IPZ Limited machines will arrive at Urapmin village soccer field.
This is after 48 years of no road connectivity. Telefomin District In West Sepik province is not linked to any major road network since Independence.
Minister tor Works & Highways and Telefomin MP Hon. Solan Mirisim is impressed with the progress of this road.
He says for the first time his people can travel to Tabubil, sell their fresh produce and return back home on the same day.
“Previously it took them two days and night to walk using bush track. Today they can hope on a PMV to Tabubil, sell their fresh produce and return with store goods in the afternoon.
Road is a enabling infrasture for development. My district has never seen or experience that lifestyle for over 50 + years and Im very impressed with the progress of this road.
It has reduce travel time, save cost for my people and most importantly provide excess for them to go sell their fresh produce at Tabubil and Kiunga markets and return home with their hard earn monies.
This is the kind of life every PNG Citizen deserves and Connect PNG Policy is truly making that happen.”
Minister Mirisim on behalf of the Telefomin people thank the Marape- Rosso government for providing the support through the OTML Tax Credit Scheme.
He also extend his appreciation to the OTML Board, Senior executives and the OTML Tax Credit Scheme.
Minister Mirisim thank IPZ Limited for their tireless effort despite cutting the road through one of the very challenging land geography.
“It took them almost 5 years to cut through the Hidernberg wall, over to Rumbil and now into Telefomin first village. It will not be too long for the road to reach the Telefomin station.”
Meanwhile, IPZ team leader Mr. Ivan Yemis confirms that they should arrive at Urapmin soccer field tomorrow( 1st Novermber 2023).
“We are doing clearing and grubbing and the road works is still in progress. We estimate to arrive at Urapmin tomorrow.
As a local Telefomin man it gives me great joy to see my people enjoying the road. It provide them access to the market and shops in Tabubil and Kiunga. Back then it took them days, they suffer along the bush track loosing almost half of their fresh produce. Most of what they buy in shops especially frozen goods got rotten away in the bush.
Today you see them go out in the morning and comes back in the afternoon with all frozen goods such as chicken, lamb or cow meat still with ice and fresh.
They are really seeing the benefit of what road can bring. The Minister for Works has removed the two days from them and now you can see their lives has dramatically improved.
That is what we want to see from the people and it gives us more joy and rejuvunates us to continue to push the road forward despite of the challenging land form.
Mr. Yemis said it will take them another 13 kilomteres from Urapmin village to Telefomin station.
Currently , his team is aiming to push the road into Urapmin Soccer field.
