The Member for Nipa-Kutubu and Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph MP, has issued a firm and clarifying media statement in response to recent protests and public commentary surrounding the Kutubu-Access Road (KAR) sealing project at Poroma.
Dr. Joseph called for maturity and responsibility in political discourse, urging critics and commentators to avoid profanity, misinformation, and unethical conduct while engaging in public debate.
“Politics must be played with ethics, integrity and respect. Continuous cheap shots, vulgar language and misinformation do not contribute to development or nation-building,” Dr. Joseph said.
The Minister emphasised that while road sealing is important, delivering infrastructure to the highest engineering and safety standards is critical: particularly for a nationally significant project serving oil-producing areas.
“Sealing a road is one thing; delivering it to the highest standard through experienced and capable contractors is another. As long as I remain the Member for Nipa-Kutubu, I will continue to advocate for projects that deliver value for money for my people,” he said.
Dr. Joseph clarified that the KAR contract was processed through proper national mechanisms, with the National Procurement Commission (NPC) overseeing the tender process and the National Executive Council (NEC) awarding the contract on merit.
He reminded the public that the sealing of the KAR had been a long-standing demand of the people of Nipa-Kutubu, noting that his first parliamentary question to the Prime Minister focused on the sealing of this very road.
“This project did not come by chance. It was fought for by successive leaders; including our current Governor Hon William Powi. Our combined efforts have now resulted in finally securing funds to seal the Kutubu Access Road. It is also not every day that a district receives such substantial national government funding,” he said.
On behalf of the people of Nipa-Kutubu, Dr. Joseph expressed appreciation to the Marape-Rosso Government for responding to a call that had gone unanswered for more than 34 years.
“This is a legacy project. It will transform lives, improve access to services, and open economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised by some groups, the Minister clarified that subcontracting arrangements are the responsibility of the principal contractor and cannot be obtained through intimidation, coercion, or unlawful conduct.
“Subcontracts are not acquired by force, blackmail, extortion or acts that border on domestic terrorism. PNG is not a cowboy country—we must respect the rule of law and established processes,” Dr. Joseph stated.
Dr. Joseph also corrected misinformation regarding ownership of the road, confirming that the KAR is a public road, officially handed over to the Government by Oil Search, except for the Kaimari Bridge to Waro section, which remains private.
“These are facts, and facts must be respected,” he said.
The Minister acknowledged an isolated incident involving one of his supporters, who was reportedly intoxicated and damaged a vehicle. He confirmed that the matter was unrelated to the KAR opening and should not be politicised.
Commenting on unrelated public commentary surrounding the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) board matter, Dr. Joseph stated that the termination letter clearly outlined the reasons for the decision and urged respect for institutional processes.
“Not every issue must be politicised. Institutions exist for a reason, and their decisions must be respected,” he said.
In a conciliatory message, Dr. Joseph addressed community leader Mr. Charles Andayo, describing him as a respected family member and leader.
“We are young men with a long road ahead. I respect you, and your concerns have been communicated to the contractor. Engagement, learning and partnership; within the law; are how we build local businesses and sustainable development,” he said.
Dr. Joseph concluded by urging all stakeholders to work together in unity, legality, and mutual respect for the greater good of Nipa-Kutubu and Papua New Guinea.