The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Member for Madang，Nixon Duban, on Friday appealed to the Japanese government for assistance to build roads and bridges in his electorate.
The MP made the appeal openly in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to PNG, Morio Matsumoto, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency representatives and other Government officials during the grand opening of the new Madang town market.
The minister’s call was particularly for roads and bridges in the Trans-Gogol area in Madang, which previously a Japanese company had harvested hard-wood timber from.
Duban clarified that Japan has a historical relationship with Madang Province through the business of logging. During that time, there was no Trans-Gogol LLG, only Ambenob LLG, which at that time witnessed a huge investment by Japan in Madang through the Japan New Guinea Timbers (JANT).
The minister cited that the people of Madang contributed the best hard wood in the world in the form of ‘kwila’, which had contributed greatly towards the economy of Japan.
“The people gave away their timber and their land thinking that it would bring change – and we waited for a while.
“Today, we are happy to see Japanese government come good with the new market. Today, I’m proud.
“However, the people who gave away their timber and land are today still not better off,” says Duban.
“We are now openly asking the Japanese government for bridges and roads because it’s rightfully our interest.”
The minister’s public appeal received a huge applause from the large gathering who were there to witness the grand opening of the new Madang town market.
(Minister Duban speaking at the grand opening of new Madang town market on Friday, July 1. Photograph by JAMES G. KILA)