Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, will travel to Biala in the Nakanai District of West New Britain Province on Friday, 08th May 2026, to officially open two major infrastructure projects: the Nakanai District Headquarters Office Complex and the Bamus–Noahu road, which forms part of the East–West New Britain Highway under the Connect PNG Programme.
These projects are part of the Marape–Rosso Government’s flagship Connect PNG Programme, aimed at strengthening national connectivity, improving ser- vice delivery, and unlocking economic potential in rural and agricultural regions.
The newly constructed Nakanai District Headquarters Office Complex, built at a cost of K5 million, will serve as the central administrative hub for the district. It will house key government offices to support decision-making and enhance service delivery for the people of Nakanai. The district covers the Hoskins, Bialla, and Mosa Local Level Government (LLG) areas, with an estimated population of between 150,000 and 160,000 people based on recent projections.
In addition to the office complex, Prime Minister Marape will officially open the fully sealed 10-kilometre Bamus–Noahu road that links Bialla. This vital infrastructure significantly improves access between inland communities and the provincial capital, Kimbe, while also strengthening links toward Kokopo in East New Britain Province. The sealed road from Bamus to Noahu represents the first 10 kilometres of the total 42 kilometres of the New Britain Highway being developed under the flagship Connect PNG Programme.
The road represents a critical step in connecting the island of New Britain. While it already facilitates movement between West and East New Britain, full connectivity will be achieved once a bridge is constructed over the Badi River, which remains difficult to cross during periods of flooding.
The Bamus–Noahu road is already delivering tangible benefits. It has improved transportation, enhanced communication, and increased access to markets and essential services for rural communities. It also supports the movement of agricultural produce—particularly palm oil, copra, and balsa—which are key economic drivers in the region.
This road project is funded by the Papua New Guinea Government through the Department of Works and Highways under the Connect PNG Road program, with construction undertaken by China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd. The total contract cost is K138,495,587.45, including a provisional allocation of K10 million for potential additional works.
The contractor has received an advance payment of K20,774,338.12, representing 15 percent of the contract sum, and is required to provide a performance bond equivalent to 10 percent of the contract value as a guarantee of delivery.
The project covers a total of 42.612 kilometres of road in West New Britain Province and is being supervised by ALBE Consultant Ltd in partnership with the Department of Works. The contract was accepted in January 2022 and formally signed in February 2022, with construction commencing in October 2022. While the original completion date was October 2025, a 30-month extension has been granted, moving the expected completion date to 18 April 2028. Following completion, the contractor will remain responsible for defect liability for a period of one year.
West New Britain Province remains one of Papua New Guinea’s leading revenue-generating provinces, largely driven by the oil palm industry. The sector injects hundreds of millions of kina into the provincial economy each year, supporting employment, small and medium enterprises, and local livelihoods.
With an estimated K600 million circulating annually through major industry operations, alongside significant contributions from smallholder farmers, im- proved infrastructure such as the Bamus–Noahu road is essential to sustaining growth. The road enhances supply chains, reduces transport costs, and strengthens market access for farmers and businesses in both West and East New Britain.
The Prime Minister is also expected to announce progress on other key infra- structure developments, including funding support for the completion of the Hoskins Airport upgrade in West New Britain Province. These projects, together with associated infrastructure works, form part of broader national development efforts.
The establishment of the Nakanai District in 2022 marked a significant milestone in decentralizing governance and bringing government services closer to the people. Since then, the Nakanai District Development Authority has been working to strengthen administrative capacity and deliver key infrastructure, with the headquarters in Biala serving as the focal point of these efforts.
The opening of the district headquarters and the Bamus–Noahu road under- scores the Government’s commitment to inclusive development, improved connectivity, and long-term economic growth under the Connect PNG vision.
The government continues to prioritize strategic infrastructure investment through the Connect PNG Program to improve accessibility, strengthen economic linkages, and deliver essential services to rural communities across the country.