Successful Connection of the Magi Highway Missing Link with the first 4 vehicles arrived in Port Moresby from Alotau

Media Release 

By: Hon. Solan Mirisim, MP, Minister for Works and Highways 

Venue: Works Department HQ

Time:11:00am - 01:00pm 

Date: 20th June 2025 

Today, the 20th of June 2025, marked a historical moment with the overland vehicle movement from Alotau to Port Moresby, achieving the Marape-Rosso Governments flagship Connect PNG Economic Road Development Program.

The background of this achievement links a critical missing link that is part of the Southern Region Corridor Connectivity plan, which aims to connect Milne Bay Province to the National Capital District traverse through the Central Province 

This road will unlock the full economic potential of that region, which has a lot of potential in agriculture, tourism, and petroleum, like the Mailu prospects, which is at the feasibility study stage. 

The missing link stretches across Kupiano in Abau District and Connect with Boal/Kilakila in the Alotau District of Milne Bay Province 

Under the phase 1 (2020-2027), the Connect PNG program of the Marape-Rosso Government is committed to connect all the unlinked Provincial capital to the National road network, starting with Port Moresby to Alotau, apart from Kerema town. 

This road connections has been a long standing National infrastructure challenge since independence, and finally, this achievement is realized in time for the 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration. 

June 20th, 2025, is a milestone achievement for PNG and DoWH to witness the first 4 vehicles to successfully arrive in Port Moresby after a 13-hour drive from Alotau to Port Moresby, this signifies the completion of this missing link between central Province and Milne Bay. 

This moment is of national significance and demonstrates the realization of the CONNECT-PNG vision to leave no province behind. 

From Bautama (Central Province) to East Cape (Alotau), which is almost 600kms, completes the Magi Highway. This highway is now a strategic road which will have a greater socio-economic impact on the road side communities. This highway embraces National integration and will boost economic activity, efficient service delivery, improve tourism, trade and logistics. 

The connectivity will see cost reduction especially on freight and travel cost expected to reduce significantly, improving access for local produce to markets and increase numbers of SMEs in Central and Milne Bay Province, respectively. 

In terms of security and sovereignty, this road places the region to be a strategic part of the country on border monitor, emergency disaster response, and mobility. 

The road connectivity will create jobs and investment, stimulate the economy, create new business opportunities and increase investors confidence. 

In conclusion, this achievement is credited to the Marape - Rosso Government, local contractors and the road side communities. 

DoWH Secretary Mr Gibson Holemba, Connect PNG team, DoWH Central and Milne Bay Provincial Office, Southern Region Regional Works Manager, and the Milne Bay Provincial Administration.

Whilst we celebrate this achievement, full road sealing works will commence to bring the road to an all weather standard road. 

A formal launching ceremony is being prepared to formally launch this historic milestone achievement by connecting Alotau to Port Moresby which will be Commissioned by the Prime Minister and the Governor General.