ERAVE, Southern Highlands Province — Community leaders and local administrators along the Gulf–Southern Highlands Province road corridor have raised serious concerns over security gaps and law-and-order risks along the key economic route, warning that rising instability could threaten upcoming resource developments, including the proposed Papua LNG project expansion.
The concerns were outlined in a press statement issued by the Erave Kikori Development Centre, which also announced a major community awareness initiative aimed at addressing social, economic, and security challenges along the corridor.
Veteran security and community adviser Mr. Stanley Nandex, who has worked across major resource projects in Papua New Guinea, including the Gobe oil project, the PNG LNG project, and the GULF-SHP ROAD CONNECTIVITY under the Oil Search ,now Santos warned that the corridor has become increasingly vulnerable since the road’s opening in 2020.
He said the lack of sustained government and developer presence along the Gulf–SHP route has contributed to growing concerns over illegal movement and broader security risks.
“There is clear evidence on the ground that illegal activities, including the smuggling of illicit weapons, are occurring through this gateway,” Mr. Nandex said. “With ongoing tribal conflicts in Kagua and parts of the upper Highlands, communities are living in fear. As preparations for the second Papua LNG project begin, we expect increased movement of people. Without proper security measures, this corridor could become unmanageable.”
The corridor links resource-rich areas across Southern Highlands Province and Gulf Province, including sections passing through Erave and Kikori districts.
The Erave Kikori Development Centre is calling on the Minister for Police to urgently establish permanent security checkpoints and controlled access points along the Gulf–SHP corridor. The proposed measures include boom gates and monitoring stations intended to regulate movement and reduce the risk of illegal activities.
Community leaders argue that stronger enforcement is needed not only for security but also to prepare for anticipated population movement linked to major resource development activity and the 2027 national elections.
Local administrators also stressed that development partners must play a stronger role in supporting local communities through corporate social responsibility programs.
The Erave LLG Administration called on major project stakeholders, including oil and gas developers, to invest more in local economic participation.
These include:
• ExxonMobil
• Santos
• TotalEnergies
• Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC)
Mr. Nandex and local officials argued that investment in agriculture, livestock, and technical training would help reduce unemployment and give local communities a stronger role in upcoming energy projects.
“Kagua-Erave has significant agricultural potential,” an LLG representative said. “If development partners come on board meaningfully, we can redirect our youth toward productive livelihoods instead of conflict.”
As part of the response to these concerns, the Erave Kikori Development Centre will launch a Community Awareness Program on Social and Economic Development on 25 July 2026 at Pawabi Village, Sembirigi, Erave, SHP.
Launch details:
• Date: Saturday, 25 July 2026
• Venue: Pawabi Village, Sembirigi, Erave
• Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The program will be followed by a month-long outreach campaign across key corridor locations from 29 July to 1 September 2026, including Erave Station, Marorogo, Yanguri, Niae, Sembirigi Station, Kaiam, and Kikori Station.
Leaders also raised concerns about the upcoming 2027 National General Election, warning that the corridor’s porous security environment could complicate voter movement and electoral integrity.
They are calling on both the Gulf Province and Southern Highlands Province governments, alongside national authorities, to establish permanent checkpoints in Erave and Kaiam in Kikori to manage population movement during the election period and beyond.
The Erave Kikori Development Centre has invited government departments, resource developers, and media organizations to attend the official launch and participate in discussions on security, development, and community resilience.
The organization says the initiative is intended to ensure that local voices are included in planning for major projects and that security and development progress together along one of Papua New Guinea’s most strategically important resource corridors.