Prime Minister James Marape has apologised to the people of Karamui in Chimbu for delays in road development and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to delivering road connectivity under the national Connect PNG programme.
Mr Marape said despite previous allocations in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Karamui road project has not progressed as expected.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the people of Karamui. We did allocate funds for your road in past years, and I have now directed the Works Department to investigate what has happened to those allocations,” he said.
He added that while other roads across the country had seen continuous progress – including Kikori to Mt Hagen, Telefomin to Tabubil, and the current road from Port Moresby to Alotau, Karamui had faced setbacks due to disagreements over routing and competing priorities at provincial and district levels.
“We have misfired on this road. Different preferences on routes have caused delays.
“I have now instructed the Works Department to select the best and most direct route into Karamui without further interference. National Government will deliver this road,” PM Marape said.
He recalled his personal connection to remote communities, recalling his own childhood experiences.
“As a child who grew up in remote Papua New Guinea, I understand the pain of isolation. I remember my own mother crying when she lost children in those difficult conditions, with no access to health services or roads. I was only six years old when I saw her bury my baby sibling at Oksapmin. These experiences shaped me, and they remain with me to this day. That is why I know the struggles of Karamui and other remote places — and why I give you my fullest commitment that Karamui will not be left behind,” Mr Marape said.
He said communities such as Karamui, Oksapmin, Middle Ramu, Simbai, Maramuni, Kabwum, Rai Coast, Kandrian, Kaintiba, and many others were among the remotest parts of the country and were still waiting for access but Connect PNG was designed to change this.
“Through Connect PNG, we are fixing this. This programme is not just about my government, but about every government that will follow. It is a 20-year programme, step by step, kilometre by kilometre — building roads, jetties, ports, and airstrips to connect the unconnected and reach the unreached, the Prime Minister said.
“Our mission is clear: no part of Papua New Guinea will remain cut off.”
Mr Marape appealed to Chimbu leaders to allow the national government to implement the main road corridor to Karamui while supporting smaller feeder roads separately.
“Enough is enough. Let us work together for the people. Karamui must be unlocked, and my government will not rest until that is achieved.
“Connecting the unconnected, reaching the unreached — this is our mission, and it will not stop until all Papua New Guineans are included,” Mr Marape concluded.
Well done PMJM, roads are the backbones of other developments in the country.
I think the former governor for Chimbu Michael Dua should know where the fundings are.
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