6 HIGH QUALITY NEW BRIDGES ALONG RAMU MADANG HIGHWAY UNDER CONNECT PNG 2022-2040 PROGRAM OPENNED

PRIME MINISTER OPENS 6 HIGH QUALITY BRIDGES ALONG RAMU MADANG HIGHWAY

by Hon. Kessy Sawang, MP

I take this time to thank the Marape-Rosso Government for its flagship “Connect PNG 2022 - 2040 Program”.  “Connect PNG” is a priority development agenda embarking on the monumental task of reaching the unreached and connecting the unconnected in a geographically challenging country.

Today, I was honoured to be invited by our hardworking Minister for Works & Highways, Hon. Solan Mirisim to witness the Prime Minister’s official opening of the Tapo Bridge in Ward 14, Astrolabe Bay LLG, Rai Coast District, along the Lae-Madang Highway.

The opening of Tapo Bridge also signifies the opening of 5 other bridges along the Ramu-Madang section of the Lae-Madang Highway.  I am profoundly grateful that 4 of the 6 modern & fortified bridges are in the section of the highway that passes through my District.

Tapo is the only wet crossing on the highway.  Many lives have been lost there.  I am profoundly grateful that finally we have this massive structure.  

Roads and bridges are major investments by the Government.  The people living along these roads must appreciate these assets and use it to generate economic returns.  I challenge my people to go into cocoa, vanilla, coffee, and food farming.  They must go into SMEs like trade stores, lodges and service Centres along the highway.  

The highway is a national asset belonging to all the connected provinces and all people.  It must be respected and appreciated.  No criminal activities must occur along the highway.  Those lazy evil people who abuse the asset and live by the sword shall die by the sword.  

The Government is doing its best to meet the ever-increasing needs of an increasing population.  It has made the right decision to increasing economic investments during the Covid-induced economic downturn.  

The onus is now on our people to increase value from their land assets, and contribute to economic growth so the Government can retire the loans that it got to invest in these high value investment.  

I also thank the contractor COVEC PNG for the solid Tapo Bridge, which is said to last for 50-60 years.  It’s beautiful and awesome, built at a cost of K18 Million.  

I thank the Prime Minister for committing Rai Coast and Middle Ramu missing link roads in the Connect PNG Program.  Middle Ramu road should open up the Madang-Baiyer strategic missing link.  Rai Coast should link up the missing link Madang-Morobe Coastal Highway.  

Thank you PM and Minister Mirisim for also announcing that work will also commence on upgrading the Usino Junction to Tapo section of the road.  Travel time to Lae will be reduced by hours.  

I thank the Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, our hardworking Treasurer Hon. Ian Ling Stuckey, Minister Works & Highways Hon. Solan Mirisim, and Works Secretary David Wereh coming to Madang, and to Tapo, and braving the rain to officially open the bridge.

I also thank our Madang MPs, Governor. Ramsey Pariwa,  Education Minister Jimmy Uguro, Middle Ramu MP Kamdaru and Mul-Baiyer MP Jacob Maki for coming to Tapo.  

Special thanks to our hardworking Treasurer for coming out to rural PNG and seeing for yourself the fruits of the Government’s investment in quality bridge infrastructure.  

Quality, climate-resilient infrastructure is the backbone of economic development.  The 6 bridges along the Ramu-Madang section will have huge economic returns.  This is the kind of investment we want to see.  Not investing in roads in the capital city of Port Moresby only.  

Prime Minister - my people are so blessed to have you in our District, for your humility to be amongst them.

Picture and words from Hon. Kessy Sawang's Facebook Page.