Telefomin, West Sepik, Friday, 12 September 2025 – Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has hailed the opening of the Tabubil–Telefomin Road as a milestone not just for Telefomin, but for the entire nation, describing it as “a message of hope to Papua New Guinea” as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary.
Speaking at the official opening, Prime Minister Marape said the project, delivered under the Connect PNG programme and supported by the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd Tax Credit Scheme, demonstrated the government’s determination to reach the most isolated corners of the country.
“Today’s event is more than just about opening a road in Telefomin. It is about sending a message of hope to the whole country, right at the face of our 50th Anniversary,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Linking Isolated Communities
The Prime Minister said the Tabubil–Telefomin link was part of a broader push to connect remote communities such as Simbai, Middle Ramu, Bundi, Karamui, Kabwum, the Finisterre Ranges, Rai Coast, Pomio, Kandrian, Goilala, Bosavi and others where roads have never reached.
“We are working with a 20-year Connect PNG plan to link every part of the country while maintaining and upgrading the existing roads,” he explained.
He pointed to major recent achievements, including driving from Kikori to Mt Hagen for the first time in 2022, vehicles travelling from Lae across to Port Moresby through Menyamya and Kotidanga into Gulf and Kerema, and his own 400-kilometre drive over missing link roads from Kupiano to Alotau — making road travel between Port Moresby and Alotau possible.
Services for Rural Majority
With 85 per cent of Papua New Guineans living in rural areas, Prime Minister Marape said the government was committed to bringing services and opportunities to where people live.
“We don’t want our people forced into towns and cities looking for services. Instead, we are opening up rural areas, step by step, kilometre by kilometre, with willing district and provincial leaders.”
He acknowledged the cooperation of Western and West Sepik Governors and Telefomin’s local MP in delivering the road, which also leveraged nearby resource projects through the tax credit scheme.
Commitment to National Connectivity
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed that the message from Telefomin was national in scope:
“Just as we have connected Port Moresby to Alotau, we are working for other remote areas like Karamui, Bosavi, Simbai, Middle Ramu, Bundi, Kabwum, Rai Coast, Pomio and many more. Our island and coastal communities will be covered through rural jetty programmes, and small streams and waterways will have crossings built, so that every part of our country has some form of transport link.”
As Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of nationhood, Prime Minister Marape said the government’s commitment remained clear:
“We will connect all our people, wherever they are, so that everyone can share in the benefits of development and nationhood.”
ENDS
