PRIME Minister James Marape has described the Highlands Highway as the backbone of Papua New Guinea’s economy, announcing continued major government investment in roads, bridges, power infrastructure and economic development along the country’s most important transport corridor.
Speaking during the opening of 35 permanent dual-lane concrete bridges under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme (SHHIP) Tranche 2 at Zumim Bridge in Markham District, Morobe Province, Prime Minister Marape said the highway carries almost 80 percent of the country’s economic activity and therefore remains a top national priority.
“This highway sustains the country. It carries the bulk of our economy from the Highlands to the port of Lae and to the rest of the world. It is worth reinvesting billions of kina into this national asset,” Prime Minister Marape
said.
The Prime Minister was joined by Works and Highways Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, Morobe Governor Hon. Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito, Markham MP Hon.Koni Iguan, representatives of the Asian Development Bank, and local leaders during the official ribboncutting ceremony.
The 35 modern concrete bridges replace ageing Bailey bridges that had served the Highlands Highway for decades but had deteriorated under increasing traffic loads and heavy freight movement.
Constructed under the ADB-supported SHHIP Tranche 2 programme, the bridges form part of the Government’s Connect PNG Programme, which aims to modernise and strengthen the country’s national transport network.
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that the initial Highlands Highway restoration programme was launched under the previous government with approximately K1 billion in funding supported by ADB, and said the Marape–Rosso Government expanded the programme significantly.
“The previous government secured about K1 billion for the restoration of the Highlands Highway. Our government added another K2 billion in additional works including bridge replacements, road reinforcements and critical upgrades along the corridor,” he said.
“In total, close to K3 billion has now been invested into rebuilding this highway, which is the economic spine of our nation.
The Prime Minister said that within the next six months, the highway corridor from Lae to Mount Hagen would be operating with modern dual-lane bridges and significantly improved road conditions.
Morobe A Strategic Province
Prime Minister Marape also assured the people of Morobe that the National Government remains fully committed to supporting the province’s development.
“Morobe is not forgotten. This government is focused on spreading care and resources across all parts of our country, and Morobe remains a strategic province that has anchored this nation for the last 50 years and will continue to anchor our future,” he said.
He noted that Morobe, with a population of around one million people and hosting the country’s largest port and industrial centre in Lae, remains central to Papua New Guinea’s economic growth.
Major Power Infrastructure Supporting Economic Corridor
Prime Minister Marape highlighted the importance of the 132kV Highlands electricity transmission network, which connects Lae through the Highlands provinces and supports economic activity along the same corridor.
The network includes the Yonki–Lae transmission line supported by the Government of Japan, as well as PNG Government-funded upgrades linking other parts of the Highlands grid.
“When this network is fully utilised, power generated anywhere in Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Enga or Hela can be uploaded into this system and distributed across the economic spine of our country,” he said.
The Prime Minister also apologised to residents of Lae and Morobe Province experiencing power disruptions and assured them that urgent work is underway to strengthen electricity distribution to local communities.
First Railway Planned for Lae–Markham Corridor
Prime Minister Marape announced that the Government has already approved policy direction for Papua New Guinea’s first railway project, which is proposed to run from Lae through the Markham Valley towards the Highlands region.
The railway is expected to support freight movement and could lead to the establishment of an inland logistics depot in the Markham area, supporting the flow of goods between the Highlands and the port ofbLae.
Infrastructure Must Translate into Economic Growth
Prime Minister Marape urged communities along the Markham Valley corridor to take advantage of the new infrastructure by expanding agriculture, tourism and small business activity.
He said the Markham area holds enormous economic potential due to its fertile land and proximity to key national infrastructure such as Lae Port, the Highlands Highway, power transmission lines, fibre optic connectivity and airports.
“You are sitting on prime land and prime assets. With roads, power lines and other infrastructure now in place, this corridor has enormous opportunity for agriculture, tourism and business development,” he said.
The Prime Minister also announced that the Government has allocated K10 million to support agricultural and economic development planning in the Markham area, encouraging local leaders to mobilise land and promote commercial agriculture.
Economic Vision for A K200 Billion Economy
Prime Minister Marape reiterated the Government’s national goal of expanding Papua New Guinea’s economy to K200 billion within the next decade, driven by infrastructure investment, agriculture expansion and responsible fiscal management.
He revealed that the Government expects to deliver a balanced national budget next year, reducing reliance on borrowing after several years of restructuring expensive commercial debt.
“Our government has focused on replacing high-interest commercial debt with concessional financing from development partners such as the Asian Development Bank,” he said.
Appreciation To Development Partners
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Asian Development Bank for its long-standing partnership with Papua New Guinea, noting that ADB had supported key national infrastructure projects for more than two decades.
“ADB has been a consistent development partner to Papua New Guinea. We appreciate their continued support in helping us rebuild vital infrastructure like the Highlands Highway,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by urging Papua New Guineans to ensure that national infrastructure investments translate into economic productivity.
“When the State invests billions of kina into infrastructure, all citizens must contribute through business, agriculture and productivity so that these investments generate real returns for our people and our country,” he said.