PNG PM UNVEILS K316 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE FOR GULF

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has rolled out a K316 million infrastructure package targeting roads, bridges and community facilities for rural Gulf Province residents, part of a broader push to reach the majority of citizens living outside urban centres. 

Standing before villagers gathered along the Vailala River at Ihu Station, the Prime Minister described the initiative as a long-overdue effort to bring services closer to communities that have historically been cut off from national development. Addressing families and schoolchildren from Ihu, Marape acknowledged that the bulk of the population still resides far from urban conveniences. 

“My children at the banks of Vailala river, Ihu station, over 85% of my people still remain in the rural enclaves of PNG, that's why my government continue to pass resources to districts and provinces so each leader look after development needs prevalent there,” he said.He added that seeing new roads take shape in the area, alongside the opening of a newly built market, marked a milestone for the region. “So, it is good to see roads being developed here and happy to open a modern market here the banks of Vailala in the home of Papua LNG,” Marape said.

The event, themed ‘Connecting Communities, Empowering People, and Advancing Development in Kikori’, marked the official launch of six projects benefitting East and West Ihu Local Level Governments. These include the Ihu–Muro Road Project valued at K176 million, the K126 million Vailala River Bridge, soil stabilisation works between Keuru Bridge and Vailala River Road costing K10 million, a Multi-Purpose Community Centre worth K1.4 million, the newly opened Ihu Market valued at K0.7 million, and the Baimuru Market project costing K1.92 million.Officials say the two new markets will allow farmers, fishermen and women vendors to sell their goods locally instead of undertaking lengthy journeys to reach buyers.The Prime Minister also used the occasion to draw attention to the Gulf Province’s emerging role in the Papua LNG project, noting that the timing of his visit coincided with major developments expected soon. 

“Good news on Papua LNG will break soon, and I am here in the heartland of this important project with people and children from whose land the resources will be extracted from,” he said. He encouraged local landowners and young people to position themselves for employment, business ventures and service contracts tied to the project, while also issuing a challenge to public servants to sharpen their work ethic. “Compatriots let's all work, especially those of us who earn from the public purses. Work your heart out for your country and our people,” Marape said.