Port Moresby, Sunday, 8 June 2025 – Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed the ongoing rehabilitation of two critical rural roads in East New Britain Province, describing them as “lifelines for cocoa-growing communities” and a reflection of real service delivery reaching the grassroots.
The roads — Kulungure Feeder Road in Sinivit LLG, Pomio District, and Vunapalading–Burit Feeder Road in Inland Baining, Gazelle District — are being rehabilitated under the Papua New Guinea Agriculture Commercialisation and Diversification (PACD) Project, implemented by the Cocoa Board of PNG, and funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea with support from the World Bank.
The Kulungure Feeder Road, valued at K5.6 million, spans 4km and will significantly improve access for cocoa farmers and rural families in Sinivit. The project is being delivered by Kokopo Plant Hire Ltd under the supervision of the PACD Project Management Unit (PMU).
The Vunapalading–Burit Feeder Road, valued at K4.1 million, covers 3.18km and is located in Inland Baining, a key cocoa-producing area in Gazelle District. It is being constructed by Covec PNG Ltd with oversight from the same PMU.
“These roads are not just infrastructure — they are opportunities,” Prime Minister Marape said. “They allow cocoa farmers to move their produce, mothers to access health services, and children to reach schools. This is the kind of impact we envisioned when we launched the PACD Project.
“These are the quiet but powerful stories of nation-building that often go unseen,” he added. “But they matter deeply to the people whose lives are improved — cocoa farmers who can sell their beans more easily, and families who are no longer cut off from basic services.”
Prime Minister Marape emphasised that as Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of Independence, investments in rural roads and agriculture must remain a top national priority.
“We must continue to invest where the real Papua New Guinea lives — in the districts, in the villages, in the valleys,” he said. “Projects like these reaffirm our belief that development must be inclusive, and no community should be left behind.”
The PACD Project, launched in 2022, supports value chain development for cocoa, coffee, and oil palm by strengthening infrastructure, farmer support systems, and market access. It is part of the Government’s broader strategy to diversify the economy and support rural livelihoods through agriculture.
ENDS
