Prime Minister Hon. James Marape tonight called on Eastern Highlanders to turn the Government’s multi- billion-kina investment in the Highlands Highway into increased coffee production, businesses, jobs and household incomes.
Speaking at Bena, where he commissioned the new K20.2 million Bena Bridge and launched the Goroka Four- Lane Road Project towards Korofeigu, Prime Minister Marape said improved roads and bridges must translate into greater economic productivity.
“This is the economic lifeline that keeps our economy growing,” he said.“The money we are putting into this road is not a misplaced allocation. It is the correct allocation in terms of our strategy to grow the economy.”
Prime Minister Marape challenged communities along the highway to increase coffee and agricultural production.
“I want you to deliver coffee bags to repay the money we are investing in building infrastructure,” he said. “There is wealth growing by you through the use of your land, your sweat and your effort, and the road enables the marketing.
“When you improve, the country improves. Together, we all grow.”
He encouraged unemployed Papua New Guineans to pursue agriculture and small-to-medium enterprises rather than wait for formal employment or government assistance.
“If you are already in SME, good on you — keep going. If you are already in employment, be faithful in employment. If you are unemployed, I point you back to SME and agriculture as an SME option,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also urged provincial and district leaders to use government funding to help people become economically productive.
“Teach a man how to fish; don’t just give him fish. Let us lead our people into self-employment activities so that this road can contribute to improving their lives and, collectively, the economy of our country.”
With Papua New Guinea eight days away from its 51st Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister Marape said the country must move forward with a stronger culture of work and personal responsibility.
“The drive we took over the last two days is just a symbol of ‘can do’. We can do it,” he said.
“Our fathers laid the cornerstone of our national unity by 1975 when they gave us our Constitution. But the work of uniting the country must continue.”
HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY UPGRADE
The K20.2 million Bena Bridge is a new 100-metre, two-lane permanent bridge replacing the old single-lane Bailey bridge.
Constructed by China Wu Yi Company Limited and funded by the Asian Development Bank under the Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Program, it forms part of the continuing modernisation of the Highlands Highway.
Under Tranche 2 of the programme, work covers 71 bridges along the highway corridor: 35 from Nadzab to Henganofi, 19 from Henganofi to Mangiro and 17 from Mangiro to Kagamuga.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Asian Development Bank, Department of Works and Highways, Department of Treasury, Department of National Planning and Monitoring, China Wu Yi Company Limited, Eastern Highlands Provincial Government, DDAs, LLGs, development partners and communities for supporting the programme.
“Building modern infrastructure is part of building a modern country,” he said.
He also welcomed the provision of roadside market and sanitation facilities, saying communities must use them to capture economic opportunities created by the improved highway.
“These market facilities can become a base from which you capture the local economy for your own sustenance and progress,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also launched the Goroka Four-Lane Road Project towards Korofeigu, which will increase road capacity to cater for population growth, traffic and economic activity while improving the movement of coffee, fresh produce and commercial freight.
He urged communities to protect the new infrastructure and ensure the Government’s investment was matched by increased economic activity.
“When you improve, the country improves. Together, we all grow,” Prime Minister Marape said.