Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Hiri-Koiari MP Hon. Keith Iduhu for supporting the development of the Iarocry Picnic and Recreational Area in Sogeri, saying it demonstrates how District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funding can be used to stimulate local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), tourism and sustainable economic development.
Prime Minister Marape said the project, featured in a newspaper feature article today, showed the value of government investment when local communities, entrepreneurs and district leaders worked together to unlock opportunities on customary land.
“I want to commend the Member for Hiri-Koiari for stepping in the right direction,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“This is an excellent example of how part of the DSIP allocation can be used to incubate local SMEs while creating employment and economic opportunities for our people.
“I also congratulate the local business behind the project. They started in 2019 and have continued to grow from strength to strength. Their success should encourage Papua New Guineans everywhere to invest in their own communities.”
Prime Minister Marape said Hiri-Koiari District, which surrounds the nation’s capital, was strategically positioned to become a leading ecotourism destination as Papua New Guinea prepares to welcome greater numbers of visitors, particularly with the arrival of the PNG NRL franchise in 2028.
“When the PNG team enters the NRL competition in 2028, many more visitors will be travelling through Port Moresby,” he said.
“We do not want them to simply arrive for a match and leave immediately afterwards. We want them to explore Central Province and other parts of Papua New Guinea, spending time in our districts, supporting local businesses and experiencing the natural beauty and hospitality of our country.”
Prime Minister Marape encouraged communities across the Sogeri Plateau, East Hiri and West Hiri to explore opportunities in ecotourism, agriculture and hospitality.
“If communities organise themselves properly, they can access support through institutions such as Mama Bank, the National Development Bank and BSP to grow businesses that create jobs and income.”
He also revealed that the Government was progressing work on a customary land financing policy that would allow traditional landowners to leverage their land for development while retaining ownership.
“Our Government is working on a policy framework that will allow customary landowners to use properly recognised customary land as security to borrow from our national banking system,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“This will unlock enormous economic opportunities while ensuring that our people continue to own their land.”
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea’s greatest assets were its land, environment and people, and called on citizens to take responsibility for developing and protecting their own communities.
“I encourage all Papua New Guineans to look after your corner of Papua New Guinea.
“Whether it is agriculture, ecotourism, fisheries or other small businesses, every community has something unique to offer.
“Our land is our heritage. Our environment is our heritage. If we protect these assets, maintain law and order, respect one another and act responsibly, more visitors and investors will come.
“These are the kinds of community-driven initiatives that will help build a stronger economy, create jobs and improve livelihoods for generations to come.”
Prime Minister Marape said projects such as the Iarocry Picnic and Recreational Area demonstrated how government funding, combined with local initiative and responsible leadership, could create sustainable economic opportunities while preserving Papua New Guinea’s natural environment.