Remote airstrip opened in Karawari LLG
A recently rehabilitated airstrip in the remote Blackwara area of Karawari LLG, bordering Enga Province and East Sepik Province, is now open for use.
The Mariama Airstrip rehabilitation project, funded by the EU STREIT Program with technical partnership from the International Labour Organisation and the Rural Airstrip Agency of Papua New Guinea, is aimed at boosting connectivity for remote Sepik Communities.
The official inauguration ceremony was held yesterday at Mariama, attended by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, European Union Ambassador to PNG His Excellency Jacques Fradin, and other important delegates, including RAA CEO Kim Rose Opiti.
During the opening ceremony, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird thanked the European Union for the funding and technical support given to the Sepik Region.
"My sincere thanks to RAA, DNPM, the UN system, FAO, and especially the European Union for this successful STREIT Project – the largest EU-funded project in the South Pacific for East and West Sepik. This achievement shows that large projects can yield positive results in Papua New Guinea. On behalf of the people of Greater Sepik, thank you, European Union.”
His Excellency Jacques Fradin says he is happy to see the European Union taxpayers' money put to good use.
The challenge now is for the upkeep and maintenance of the airstrip.
"Today, as the European Union Ambassador to PNG, I am proud to celebrate the completion of the Mariama airstrip, the last of 5 airstrip rehabilitations made possible through the funding of the European Union under our Global Gateway Strategy".
The reopening of the Mariama Airstrip restores important connectivity for over 20,000 people across 10 remote communities in the Karawari LLG of Angoram District.
It takes 30 minutes by air from Boram airport to Mariama airstrip, 3 hours by truck to Kanduanum, and 6 hours by boat to Mariama.
The Rural Airstrip Agency is also undertaking similar works at Moropote and three other 3 airstrips in the Sepik Region.
