Tuesday 8th September, 2026
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape officially launched the 19 bridges funded by the Asian Development Bank under phase two at Bena District in Goroka Eastern Highlands province on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th of September 2026.
“The roads have linked and the bridges are built. This is an opportunity to start investing into agriculture and getting your goods sold to the other regions of the country “.
This was stated by PM Marape during the official launching of the bridges.
Highlighting a new era of national connectivity, leaders and community members gathered to celebrate historic achievements under the Connect PNG program, marking a decisive shift from isolation to sustainable, long-term economic prosperity.
Emphasizing the core philosophy behind the national agenda, Governor for Eastern Highlands Province Simon Sia stated that “Connect PNG is more than roads and bridges. It is about connecting our people to opportunities, markets, schools, hospitals, and services.”
Governor Sia commended the Government on behalf of his people in the province and encourage his people to take care of the government infrastructures .
Minister for Works and Highways Peter Tsiamalili Jr. challenged the people of Eastern Highlands Province to take active ownership of state assets, noting that physical infrastructure serves as the lifeblood of regional development.
Echoing his department’s mission, Minister Tsiamalili remarked, “Roads and bridges are not just infrastructure, they are truly the lifeline of our people; they are the difference between a mother reaching a clinic on time or not.”
He said physical connectivity is rapidly expanding across the country, turning decades-long dreams into reality.
The scale of investment includes:
The Four-Lane Market Road which marks a major urban upgrade for the Eastern Highlands provincial capital, a K239 million contract was executed with China Wu Yi Co. Limited to transform the Mt. Zion to Goroka Market section into a modern four-lane asphalt concrete highway, easing traffic congestion and facilitating smoother commercial transport.
With the delivery of the 19 newly constructed or rehabilitated bridges totaling K243 million, now enable to secure reliable supply chains.
Also highlighting grueling overland journeys from Port Moresby through Gulf, Morobe, and the Highlands, local leaders emphasized that these routes act as vital economic corridors empowering coffee and vegetable farmers to reach markets efficiently, reducing transport costs, and cutting travel times for students and patients.
“Infrastructure is actively stimulating local enterprise,”.
Alongside expanding roads, advanced manufacturing has taken root with the establishment of a modern, sophisticated local rice factory.
Member of Unggai Bena District Hon. Feo Kinoka said Costing nearly K6 million and boasting a production capacity of 28 tons per day, the plant packages 10kg and 20kg bags locally, keeping value within the community and boosting food security.
He said recent high-level regional engagements have highlighted a profound wave of development, uniting major infrastructure milestones, massive educational investments, and a relentless commitment to national building.
Local leaders expressed deep gratitude for the government’s unprecedented focus on unlocking the true economic value of land, real estate, and natural resources to generate generational wealth for communities.