Road access enables delivery of goods and services, mobility of people and business activities.

Debunking negative impacts of the Enga-Sepik Highway, Prime Minister, James Marape has appealed to the people of remote Maramuni in Enga to use the new road to bring their gold and agricultural produce to market, as well as attract tourists.

Taro presented to PM Marape during his visit to Maramuni last Friday. PHOTO: PM’s Media

He urged them not to cause trouble along the road, which will eventually become the Enga-Sepik Highway linking Enga and East Sepik.

PM Marape made the call in Maramuni on Friday (April 1 2022) when opening the K15 million 57km Maramuni Road linking Maramuni to Wabag, and launching the Enga-Sepik Highway which will link Maramuni to Karawari in East Sepik.

Maramuni has a flourishing alluvial gold mining industry and untapped agriculture and tourism potential. Coffee grows well there.

“I don’t want this road to be known for the wrong reasons,” PM Marape said, an allusion to law-and-order problems.

“Drop your guns, drop your bows and arrows, go into coffee and alluvial gold.

I want you to create economic activities in your villages. This road must be used for such things as taking your coffee to market, it must be a business road, it must not be a wasted road.

PM Marape directed Tourism Arts and Culture Minister, Isi Henry Leonard, who was at Maramuni together with Tourism Promotion Authority CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo, to set up a cultural centre at Maramuni.

Maramuni people for the first time took sight of vehicles. PHOTO: PM’s Media.

He urged Wabag MP and Fisheries Minister Hon. Dr Lino Tom to set up a coffee buying point for Maramuno growers.

“The Government already has price support, meaning that the same price paid to growers in Wabag, Mt Hagen or Goroka, is also paid to growers here at Maramuni,” PM Marape said.

“My people of Maramuni: you asked for a road, now you have got it , so I ask you to go into coffee and other economic activities such as alluvial gold mining.”