Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today officially opened the long-awaited Tabubil–Telefomin Highway, a landmark project that for the first time connects the remote Telefomin District of West Sepik Province with the rest of the country by road. This Connect PNG project was funded by the Government through the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) Tax Credit Scheme.
The event was marked with jubilant celebrations as thousands of people from Western and West Sepik gathered to witness what many described as a “dream come true.” For generations, Telefomin had been accessible only by air and rugged footpaths, making it one of the most isolated places in Papua New Guinea.
A Golden Jubilee Milestone
Addressing the people, Prime Minister Marape said the highway was more than just an infrastructure project – it was a symbol of equality and inclusion as Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th Independence Anniversary.
“This road is not only gravel and bitumen,” Prime Minister Marape told the cheering crowd. “It is the road to schools, hospitals, markets, electricity, internet, and business. It is about making sure that no child, no village, no district, and no province is left behind as we move into the next fifty years.”
Prime Minister Marape reminded the people that the struggle for independence in the 1960s and 70s was motivated by the dream of a better life for ordinary Papua New Guineans. “Those who fought for independence wanted our children to be free, to live with dignity, and to prosper in their God-given land. Today, fifty years later, we are fulfilling that dream here in Telefomin.”
Development Vision for Rural PNG
The Prime Minister outlined his government’s broader development vision, noting that roads like Tabubil–Telefomin form part of the Connect PNG Programme, which aims to link the entire country by 2040.
“Already people can drive from Port Moresby to Lae through Gulf and Morobe. Roads are reaching remote areas that were once cut off. This Tabubil–Telefomin Highway is proof that government policies, tax credits, and partnerships can deliver real change,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He stressed that road access must go hand in hand with economic activity. “From this highway, you can start guesthouses, service stations, agricultural supply businesses, and tourist ventures. This is the future — development must not stop in the cities. It must come to every corner of PNG.”
Rural Credit and Land Reform
Prime Minister Marape used the occasion to announce that from 2026 his government will launch a new rural credit policy that will allow landowning families to register their land and use it to access loans for agriculture and small business ventures.
“This has never been done before,” Prime Minister Marape declared. “We want our rural people to borrow money, build decent houses, put solar on their roofs, and start businesses. You should not have to leave your villages and become beggars in towns. With land registration and proper policy, every Papua New Guinean can live with dignity on their own land.”
Praise for Local Leadership
The Prime Minister praised Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto and West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou for their leadership and commitment to the project. He urged other provincial leaders to follow their example of using resources wisely and focusing on projects that change people’s lives.
“You don’t need a degree to be a good leader,” Prime Minister Marape said. “What you need is honesty, hard work, and the vision to use your province’s resources for the good of your people. This is the kind of leadership we must encourage right across Papua New Guinea.”
Call to Young People
In an emotional appeal, Prime Minister Marape turned his attention to the youth of Western and West Sepik. He urged them to avoid alcohol, drugs, and marijuana, and instead prepare themselves to take advantage of new opportunities that would come with development.
“My children, do not waste your lives on beer, smoke, or marijuana,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Look after yourselves, because the roads, the schools, and the businesses we are building are for you. The future is yours.”
Telefomin: From Isolation to Opportunity
The Prime Minister highlighted that this was his ninth visit to Telefomin, making it the district he has visited most often in his political career.
“Telefomin has always been close to my heart,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Each time I have come here, I have seen your struggles. Today, we open this road to tell you that you are not forgotten. Even the last places in Papua New Guinea matter to this government.”
Prime Minister Marape noted that the highway would also allow Western Province and West Sepik to unlock enormous economic potential in agriculture, forestry, and tourism, while also strengthening national unity by bringing once-isolated communities into the mainstream of PNG’s development.
A Road of Hope
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Marape described the highway as a road of hope.
“This Tabubil–Telefomin Highway is not just a road. It is a message to our people that government will reach you, no matter how far you live. It is a promise that Papua New Guinea’s future will include every one of its citizens,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister ended with a prayer for the people, asking God to bless Western and West Sepik provinces and guide the nation as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee.