Minister's Speech - Magarida Southern Corridor Missing Link Launching 23rd March 2025 (Alotau Gadaisu Turn of to Bonua Bridge in Central Province)

It is with great pride and humility that i stand before you today on this historic occasion - The official opening of Magi Highway Missing Link Road Connecting Central and Milne Bay Province. A milestone achievement more than 50 years in the making since our country's Independence.

Today, we are not simply opening a road, we are unlocking a new chapter opportunity for our people. We are laying the foundation for economic empowerment, inclusive growth, and sustainable development for thousands of Papua New Guineans who, until now, have remained disconnected from the mainstream economy. Today our people of Abau District and Alotau especially the people of Magarida, Mailu, Cloudy Bay, Gadaisu, and many other villages on this road corridor have the same opportunities as the rest of us.

This 250km stretch from Moreguina in Central Province to Gadaisu in Milne Bay Province is more just a road - it is a corridor of transformation. We have spent almost K100m to develop the Missing Link. It cost the government K250m to further develop the magi Highway with the total running contracts ongoing from Bautama to Alotau.

Thanks to the visionary leadership of the Marape-Rosso Government and the strategic investment under the Connect PNG program. This road now becomes a critical economic artery - unlocking access to vast untapped potential in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, petroleum, and oil Palm.

It also paves the way for the development of sugar, rubber, and rice industries, which have potential across this fertile corridor. Under this Government, we have awarded a K1.5 billion Road investment program for upgrading and sealing works to commence this year by contractor Covec PNG PNG Ltd for a period of 8 years with a repayment time of 11 years.

This Government is connecting the rural communities that have been neglected for many years and providing opening like never before Southern Corridor alone is getting almost K2 billion worth of road investment contracts for the next decade. This is how we take back PNG and give it back to the people.

The connect PNG program is not just about roads. It is about connecting lives and creating opportunities. It is a national development strategy that aims to open up remote and rural areas, promote equitable access to Government services, and stimulate local and regional economies.

People of Magarida, you may be the last frontier but your Government has not forgotten you, we are coming for you, today is your time. Rise from years of lost opportunities and make use of this major investment by your government and make a difference. 

Today's opening (March 23rd 2025) of this strategic Highway now provides the much needed infrastructure to:

• Develop agriculture hubs for crops such as rice, sugar, and rubber, expanding the local value chair and boosting export potential Cloudy and Amazon Bay, and Rigo
• Support and regulate the forestry sector, ensure sustainable harvesting and Downstream Processing in Cloudy Bay, Bonu, Magarida, Moreguina areas.
• Expand the reach of Fisheries, with improved access to Coastal landing points and inland markets between Milne Bay and Central Province. 
• Promote Oil Palm and tree crop plantations in Gadaisu, creating jobs and income - generating opportunities for landowners.
• Facilitate the development of petroleum and mineral resource projects in Mailu area through improved logistics and access.
• Strenghten government presence and service delivery in once - isolated communities like Magarida.  

As Minister responsible, I want to reaffirm our commitment: Infrastructure is the back bone of development. Many naysayers will try to stop the Connect PNG program and say too many negatives about it but let me say that it was designed to serve the marginalized and neglected rural people by successive political leadership. When we build our own roads, we build the economy. When we connect provinces, we connect people to communities. And when we open up regions like this, we empower families, businesses, and entire communities.

But we must move forward with responsible. This road must become a symbol of sustainable development- development that respects our environment, protects our cultural heritage, and includes every voice- especially those in our rural communities. This is the promise of Connect PNG. This is the legacy of the Marape-Rosso Government. And this is our path forward.

Let this road from Moreguina to Gadaisu become more than a highway- it must become a highway of hope. A highway of shared prosperity. A highway that carries not only goods and services but the aspirations of a people ready to step into a brighter future.