Monday 13 March 2023
Prime Minsiter Hon. James Marape recent visit to Kokopo, East New Britain province. Prime Minister Marape and delegates were welcomed at Tokua airport by East New Britain Governor Hon. Michael Marum and other ENB Provincial Government members. Picture courtesy of PM Media Unit.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has assured the people of remote Lasul-Baining in Gazelle, East New Britain, of his Government’s commitment to improving roads and communications in their area..
He gave this assurance on Friday, March 10, 2023, at remote Kurindal in Lasul-Baining Local Level Government (LLG), Gazelle, East New Britain, when launching the brand-new KKC Veneer Mill.
The local people brought their grievances to the Prime Minister, especially of their difficulties when travelling through rugged terrain to Kokopo, as well as having no access to communication.
PM Marape said road access would be a priority of his Government, given the economic importance of the area.
The Government has already allocated K3 million for road development with another K7 million for next year.
He assured the people that work has already started with funding allocated to Gazelle District, however, the cost will be a lot higher.
“ We have taken this on board and will work with you through National Forest Authority, Department of National Planning, company, district and province.
“We will work out a tax-credit arrangement so that our people here have road access to Kokopo and Kimbe.”
PM Marape said he would get Telikom PNG to set up a communication tower at the earliest for people of Lasul-Baining to communicate with the outside world.
“I will get Telikom to come here and look for an appropriate place to set up a communications tower so that you can communicate with the outside world,” he told the people of Lasul-Baining.
“Lasul-Baining will no longer be the ‘last place’, that I can assure you.”