By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI
PEOPLE of Telefomin District in West Sepik Province had no single road connections for more than 40 years since independence.
This will now be the thing of past as they are now eagerly awaiting a night to go before witnessing the historic arrival of the new Tabubil-Telefomin road at Urapmin, the first village of Telefomin District.
Chief Operator and team leader of IPZ Limited Mr. Ivan Yemis confidently told media team who were on the site that his team are expecting the road to reach Urapmin village by tomorrow (Wednesday November 1st) morning.
“We are doing clearing and grubbing and the road works are still in progress.
“As a local Telefomin man it gives me great joy to see my people enjoying the road.
“It provides them access to the market and shops in Tabubil and Kiunga for the first time since independence,” the Chef Operator said.
He said previously people took days walking long hours through the bush track to get to Tabubil and Kiunga.
Mr. Yemis said as result, they usually lost almost half of their fresh produce.
“Also, most of what they bought in shops especially frozen goods got rotten away in the bush when they try to get back to Telefomin.
“Today you see them go out in the morning and return back in the afternoon with all frozen goods such as chicken, lamb flaps or cow meat.
“They are really seeing the benefits of what road can bring because you can see the road connectivity is already improving the lives of people more gradually.
“That is what we want to see from the people and it gives us joy and encouraged us to continue to push the road forward given the challenging geographical landscape,” Mr. Yemis said.
He said after the road reaches Urapmin village, it will take them another 13 kilomteres from Urapmin village to Telefomin station.
Meanwhile, Member for Telefomin and Minister for Works and Highways, Hon. Solan Mirisim says he is impressed with the progress of the road.
He said for the first time his people can travel to Tabubil, sell their fresh produce and return back home on the same day.
“Previously it took them two days and night to walk using bush track.
“Today they can hope on a PMV to Tabubil, sell their fresh produce and return with store goods in the afternoon and I’m happy.
“Road is a enabling infrastructure for development, however, my district has never seen or experienced that lifestyle since independence and I’m very impressed with the progress of this road,” Minister Mirisim expressed.
“This road has now reduced travel time, save cost for my people and most importantly provide excess for them to go sell their fresh produce at Tabubil and Kiunga markets and return home with their hard earn monies.
“This is the kind of life every PNG citizen deserves and Connect PNG Policy is truly making that happen.”
Minister Mirisim on behalf of the Telefomin people thanked the Marape-Rosso Government for providing counter funding through the Department of Works & Highways.
He also extended his appreciation to the OTML Board, Senior executives and the OTML Tax Credit Scheme.
Minister Mirisim thanked IPZ Limited for their tireless effort despite cutting the road through one of the very challenging land geography.
“It took them almost five (5) years to cut through the Hidernberg wall, over to Rumbil and now into Telefomin first village.
“It will not be too long for the road to reach the Telefomin station.”
According to Connect PNG Programme, the Tabubil-Telefomin road will further progress from Telefomin to Oksapmin, then into Kopiago in Hela Province.
