Prime Minister (PM) James Marape wants the people to make use of the economic infrastructures delivered by the government to better their livelihoods and with it, contribute to nation building.

Speaking on the recent infrastructures that he opened just recently while on his road trip from Port Moresby to Lae city on the new Trans Highway, he focused his call on the farmers and businesses especially.

The prime minister said Papua New Guinea’s future will be built on the people, agriculture and connected communities, telling residents in Kundiawa town in Simbu province that sustained investment in roads and bridges is opening the way for farmers and small businesses.

Speaking during a stop on the Government’s national road journey through the Highlands, PM Marape said infrastructure is meaningless unless it helps families get produce to market and children to schools and clinics.

“We are not only building new roads; we are maintaining our existing roads and upgrading the key links that keep our villages connected to markets,” he said.

“When a farmer in Gembogl or Karamui can bring coffee and fresh food to Kundiawa in a day, that is development.”

The Prime Minister said improved connectivity is already creating economic opportunities in the Highlands by cutting travel time, lowering transport costs and giving communities better access to services and investment.

He said the road program going through Chimbu is part of a bigger national push to ensure development reaches every district, not just the big cities.

The delegation’s journey will include road and bridge openings and provincial economic initiatives across the Highlands.

“This journey from Port Moresby, through Lae and up into the Highlands shows what we can achieve when we work together,” Mr. Marape said.

“We can do it. This country can do it.”

The Prime Minister said roads must go hand in hand with agriculture and people-centred investment.

“Infrastructure is one part of it. We must also invest in our people through education, and we must diversify our economy through agriculture, small businesses and downstream processing,” he said.

“Our message as Papua New Guinea approaches its 51st Independence Anniversary is simple: development must reach every village, every garden, every market,” he said.

“We can connect our country. We can grow our farms. We can empower our people.”

The Prime Minister added that the maintenance and sustenance of this infrastructure will drive efficiency for our people and for the national economy.