Parliamentary leaders from Simbu and Jiwaka provinces have signed an agreement for the construction of access roads connecting Minj-Kup-Gumine and Dona-Kerowagi.
Present at the signing was Kerowagi MP, Bari Palma, Anglimp-South Waghi MP Joe Koim Kuli, Simbu Governor Michael Dua and Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp.
Also present were representatives of Minister for Education Nick Kuman (Gumine MP) and Minister for Petroleum and Energy, Fabian Pok (North Waghi MP).
The ceremony was held at Dur Wamugl in Kerowagi District of Simbu Province on January 17, 2018, and attracted close to 5,000 people.
The signing of a memorandum of agreement among MPs of two provinces sharing a common border was a first-of-its-kind in the Highlands region and the country.
“We will work with our two governors. This is an historical event and a great initiative, especially when we are faced with cash flow problems,” says Kerowagi MP, Bari Palma.
“We need to form this partnership to deliver infrastructural services.”
Palma urges the people to take part in coffee and agriculture development work to increase economic activity in the area.
“This is the only way for government to collect tax through your produces and make funding available for the maintenance of this road.”
He said the provincial MPs will combine funding from their district support improvement programs (DSIP) for this roadwork.
“When we do this, development partners will see and come in to help us.”
The Highlands Highway runs in the middle separating these two back roads, one to connect Minj, in the Anglimp-South Waghi area of Jiwaka Province with Kup (Kerowagi) and Pildimna (Gumine) in Simbu Province. The other connection will be from Dona to Kerowagi in Simbu Province.
The rural roads have been listed for funding by Asian Development Bank under fourth tranche but work will begin soon under joint DSIP funding.
As an economic road, the Highlands Highway is expected to open up business activities, including coffee rehabilitation work financed by World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development under Coffee Industry Corporation in this Central Highlands region.
(Kerowagi MP, Bari Palma)