Prime Minister Hon. James Marape tonight announced major upgrades to the Highlands Highway, including the commissioning of the BCW3-16 Bridges project in the Queens Park area of Mount Hagen, as part of the Government’s Connect PNG program and the broader Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Program (SHHIP) Tranche 2.
Addressing a large crowd in Mount Hagen this evening, the Prime Minister said the improved highway will cut travel time, move produce faster to market, and create more jobs for local people.
He travelled from Port Moresby earlier today with some of his ministers and senior officials to inspect the highway before tonight’s announcement.
Prime Minister Marape said the Highlands Highway is now “the best highway we have in the country” and confirmed that the BCW3-16 Bridges have been commissioned, while 71 two-lane bridges are now open on the missing link into the Highlands.
He said more than 30,000 Papua New Guineans are employed through over 300 contractors nationwide under Connect PNG and directed the Department of Works to work with Provincial Works offices to ensure the highway and feeder roads are maintained every year.
The Prime Minister said the highway upgrades are part of a broader push to connect communities, open up land for business, and give young people more opportunities close to home.
Prime Minister Marape delivered a strong message on the economy and personal responsibility.
He said the Government has done its part by building roads, bridges and infrastructure, but now it is up to citizens to do their part by working, starting businesses and contributing to the economy.
“The road is here. Now people have to do their part in contributing to the economy,”
He warned against a culture of waiting for handouts and urged Papua New Guineans to move from idleness to productive work in agriculture, tourism, trade and services.
“Don’t be lazy. Don’t expect handouts every time. You must work, you must build, you must contribute,”
The Prime Minister Marape said a bigger economy means bigger budgets for education, health and public services, but this can only happen if citizens are actively engaged in economic activity.
The Prime Minister Marape announced the new National Banking Corporation to help families and small businesses, with loans at 4-6 percent interest over 40 years and a focus on agriculture and tourism so farmers can get their coffee, cacao and copra to market faster.
He said the goal is to grow the economy to K200 billion to fund better education, health and services and added that through this bank, the Government wants one million families to access affordable loans to start or expand their businesses.
With seven days to Independence, PM Marape said PNG must “unite through infrastructure” and move forward together into the next 50 years.
He challenged Papua New Guineans to focus on work, business, school and enterprise as the country prepares to raise the “first flag in the next 50 years” next week.
“Tonight, we are sending a clear message: the Highlands Highway is open; business must move, and our people must walk into the next 50 years with confidence,”
The Prime Minister thanked the people of Mount Hagen and the wider Western Highlands for their support and called on all PNG to take advantage of the new roads, bridges and financial support to build a better future.