Telefomin Linked to the Nation After Generations of Waiting

Photograph: Part of the road connecting Telefomin to Tabubil | Inset: Locals celebrating the opening of the road link.

They may have waited for generations, but the people of Telefomin are now finally linked to the rest of the nation by road. For decades, Telefomin remained one of Papua New Guinea’s most isolated districts—accessible only by light aircraft or days of trekking through rugged mountains, deep gullies, and rivers.

On Friday, 12 September 2025, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape officially opened the Tabubil–Telefomin Road. This milestone marks a turning point in the lives of the West Sepik community, connecting them to a major service centre for the first time.

Telefomin District will eventually become a converging hub, linking with the Highlands Highway, Enga Highway, Transfly Border Highway, and Sandaun Border Highway. In effect, four provinces—West Sepik, Western, Enga, and Hela—will be connected, with Telefomin holding a strategic position at the centre.

But what does this mean for a community once so isolated?

It is more than just a road. For generations, the people of Telefomin have waited—resilient and united in their focus. Now, road connectivity brings renewed hope and real opportunities for socio-economic development. Their once quiet station is set to grow into a bustling hub—something that may be difficult for locals to imagine today, but is within reach.

The construction of the Telefomin Highway, connecting Tabubil to Telefomin, was funded by the National Government through the Ok Tedi Mining Limited Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

We connect PNG today to build our future.