Minister for International Trade and Investment and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Hon. Richard Maru visited inland Hawain in Wewak, East Sepik yesterday to discuss with the leaders and the members of the communities in Arang village on the new Yangoru-Hawain road which will be constructed next year. Minister Maru’s visit to Hawain was to hear from the people and the leaders there if they were willing to give their land for the road to be built through.
“I am very grateful that this road has been included in the 2023 National Budget, but I just want to be given assurance that the people will cooperate and give their land without demanding for compensation for the road to go through,” said Minister Maru.
“I was very happy with the outcome of my visit; the people are in support for the road to be built so as soon as the funds are released, we will start the construction of this new road by next year,” he said.
This new 34km road will connect Yangoru to Hawain inland, linking the two districts from Yangoru Station to Wanjo in the inland Hawain region of Wewak.
Minister Maru said that this road is aimed at opening up more land for cocoa farming and two new crops that Yangoru-Saussia District want to introduce in a big way, and they are coconut and kava and even carbon trade given the vast primary untouched forest in this untouched area.
“Papua New Guinea needs to produce more and export more. A big land for Yangoru-Saussia that needs to be worked and developed is sitting there untouched; it is an important stretch of land that we are not utilizing. I want to get this road constructed so the people can go settle there and work the land. This road will become an important economic road for the province and the country,” said Minister Maru.
