Nadzab in the Markham Valley, Lae and entire Morobe are set to boom with sealing of Yalu Bridge-Nadzab Section of the Highlands Highway, opening of Nadzab International Airport and building of Nadzab Satellite City, says Prime Minister James Marape.

PM Marape said this today when announcing K400 million funding to complete the problematic Yalu-Nadzab section, and welcoming a statement by Lands and Physical Planning Minister, Hon. John Rosso, in Parliament on Tuesday 18, January 2022, on the new city.

The new-look airport, funded by the Japanese Government in partnership with the PNG Government, is nearing completion.

“Cabinet last week approved awarding of more than K1.4 billion of new road contracts throughout Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said.

“The K1.4 billion worth of road contracts add to those already in place under the Marape Government’s signature ‘Connect PNG Programme.’ Of this, about K1 billion has been expended over the last two years on roads throughout the country.

“Among these is K400 million for the Yalu Bridge-Nadzab four-lane highway.

“For more than 10 years, the people of Lae, Morobe and PNG have been complaining about the bad roads between Lae and Nadzab.

“I am well aware of your cries as I, on my many visits to Lae over the years, have driven through the mud and potholes.

“I can assure you that you will have one of the best roads in the country when the Yalu Bridge-Nadzab section is completed.

“People will be able to travel in comfort from Lae to Nadzab, and then get on an international flight, once the new international airport is completed.”

PM Marape said the new satellite city, an initiative of the National Government and Morobe Provincial Government, would transform Lae and Morobe.

He commended Lae MP Rosso for being in the forefront of this exciting project for Lae, Morobe and entire PNG.

“It is a timely intervention with the giant Wafi-Golpu Mine soon to come on stream,” he said.

“I welcome this satellite city development, where the private sector and super funds, will be major drivers in partnership with the State.

“Once completed, it will complement Nadzab International Airport, and will be timely with Wafi-Golpu and the major agri-business developments in the Markham Valley of Morobe and Ramu Valley of Madang.

“It will also provide home ownership for hundreds of Papua New Guineans.”