Prime Minister Hon. 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.
Responding to concerns raised in the Post-Courier today, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that 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,” the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that while other roads across the country have seen continuous progress – including Kikori to Mt Hagen, Telefomin to Tabubil, and the current drive from Port Moresby to Alotau – Karamui has 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,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister emphasised 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,” he said.
He highlighted that communities such as Karamui, Oksapmin, Middle Ramu, Simbai, Maramuni, Kabwum, Rai Coast, Kandrian, Kaintiba, and many others are among the remotest parts of the country still waiting for access, but Connect PNG is 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. Our mission is clear: no part of Papua New Guinea will remain cut off,” the Prime Minister said.
He also pointed to progress at Kaintiba, recalling his earlier visit there in 2020 when the people cried and pleaded for a road. “Today, I am proud that heavy machines are already at Kaintiba, building the road. Just as Kaintiba has now been reached, just as Telefomin has been reached, and just as we can now drive from Port Moresby to Alotau, or from Kikori to Mount Hagen — so too will Karamui be reached,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape further appealed to all leaders in Chimbu Province 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,” the Prime Minister concluded.