Work to soon commence on road linking Simbu to Madang
A launching was held on Monday at the Pandabai Village in Usino-Bundi to kick-start work on upgrading abandoned existing roads.
Member for Usino-Bundi, Vincent Kumura, elaborated on locations that work will be done with selected construction companies who will spearhead the work.
"Manka Construction will be working on the road from Mondia Village in Simbu Province to Bundi Station in the Usino-Bundi district and Wildtrek, from Ramu Valley up to Bundi Station in Madang," Kumura said.
He also added that Manka will also work on the road from Yandara to Emegari and then to Mangibawi.
Kumura explained that connectivity is one of the district's priority areas and they are putting funds into supporting these areas.
"Many people are still living in isolation from service delivery. In order to reach them, we are fixing roads, providing water transportation for villages accessible through Ramu river and fixing rural airstrips," he said.
He also stated that this is also the fulfillment of the Connect PNG Program.
"Under connect PNG, Prime Minister, James Marape visited the area in April committed K10 million to support the road work from Mondia to Pandabai down to Bundi Station and then to Brahman," the Usino-Bundi MP said.
The Usino-Bundi District Development Authority Board has spent almost K4 million on purchasing a dozer, an excavator and a dump truck to help with constructing the road.
District administrator, Johnson Wai, said the DDA board is working to ensure that the 3 LLGs are linked together.
"Road is an enabling infrastructure that allows for other services to follow through. Without road, the services cannot reach all 3 LLGs," Wai said.
Micheal Yama, a youth from the Pandabai Village expressed his sorrow of the hardship that the district has faced for so long.
"For a long period of time, road access to these parts of Usino Bundi is not accessible," Yama said. "We carry the sick, pregnant and injured to nearby health centre which is in the Simbu Province."
Meantime, the launch of works on the next road link will be held on Friday the 10th of July, 2026, in the Gama LLG, which will connect Lower Jimi in Jiwaka Province to Kombaku Village in Gama LLG.