Finally Getting an All Weather Road after 50 Years of Independence

After 50 years of Independence, our people in some of the most remote parts of the Sepik Plains are finally getting their roads and seeing cars and PMV trucks in their villages for the first time. Now they can jump on a PMV and go to Wewak instead of walking 6 hours to catch a PMV truck. 

We, the Yangoru-Saussia DDA, just competed an 18-kilometre road from Kiniambo to Sengera covering all the villages in between like Makambu and all the way down to Sengera Community School, which I use to reach by helicopter and by planes. I visited the completed road last week and told the contractor to build one more permanent bridge over the wet crossing between Kiniambo and Makambu. A lot of work has gone into this important road which will, when completed on the Wosera District section, will link us to Yenchen village on the mighty Sepik River. 

I was so happy to see the excitement of our people to finally receive an all weather road after 50 years of Independence. 

Yes, in Yangoru-Saussia we must not leave anyone behind. Wok Must Go Yet, there is no stopping. 

We will have the grand opening of the road at Sengera Primary School on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Maru in talks with Korean Exim Bank

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru has had a very successful meeting with the President and Chairman of the Korea Exim Bank, Hee-Sung Yoon .

The leaders meet was on the margins of the inaugural Pacific Island Countries (PIC) Korea Leaders Summit in Seoul, Republic of Korea late last month.

Mr Maru informed chairman Yoon that PNG wants to diversify its sources of borrowing and in that regard was considering discussion with the Korea Exim Bank and an alternative source of finance that PNG can do business with.

Mr Maru expressed PNG’s desire to build a strong relationship with Korea’s Exim Bank as such relationship will allow the bank to provide funding for various development projects in PNG such as seaports , road infrastructure , and airports amongst others.

Mr Yoon said PNG has a good record with the Korean Exim Bank as it responsibly repaid its first loan for the Wewak Strom Drainage Project on time without defaulting.

Mr Maru expressed satisfaction and said this is a positive record and portrays our country’s ability to respond to credit agency’s requirements of payments of funds for important infrastructure projects.

Mr Yoon advised that the two projects now in the feasibility study stages are Wewak and Vanimo Sea Port Development and should proceed to the next phase once the feasibility studies are completed.

Mr Maru assured President and chairman Mr Yoon that they will ensure the feasibility studies are completed soon to advance to the next stage.

“Indications are very positive for possible funding from the Exim Bank of Korea for the two ports development projects.”

PNG since establishing formal diplomatic relations with Korea, never had a formal arrangement in place to facilitate Trade and investment of our products, including fish, coffee, cocoa and chocolate products.

Timber products and LNG and many others and also allow Korea investors to invest in PNG.