Madang rural roads get major upgrading after 30 years

Madang’s rural roads are finally receiving the major upgrading needed, to make way for economic growth and development. Nixon Duban, member for Madang, Petroleum and Energy Minister is investing in more roads development to boost the provinces economic growth. “I see road as an economic link and without this, infrastructures such as health and education will not be viable and our people would continue to suffer from these basic services,” said Mr Duban. Recent road works on the Mist-Kamba roads, have been funded through Mr Duban’s District Support Improvement Program (DSIP) which is nearing completion. Minister Duban was in the area to inspect the progress and stated that the government funding was extensively used for road clearning. He thanked the O’Neill/Dion government for their continuous support in building vital infrastructures in the country such as road, as it is the link for rural people to have easy access to government services. “Once there is a better road, people will be happy and the flow of goods and services will reach everyone,” said Mr Duban. Again, he performed another ground-breaking ceremony yesterday afternoon in the South Ambenob LLG in the Madang district for the Medo to Laga road and presented a cheque of K1Million to the same contractor for the work to start immediately. People in that area work for hours and miles to reach the main road. Mothers have died from pregnancy and government workers have also left the area because of improper government help. Yesterday they danced and wept as for the first time in 30 years they would see tangible development and their cries have been heard. A mother spoke in tears and said she usually wakes up at 3am in the morning to walk to the nearest main road to catch PMV to town and with Duban’s initiative, it is a big relief for them. Minister Duban in addressing the people said the challenge is now on them to make this road worthy by producing more cash crops and become self reliant. He urged them to form Corporative Societies and seek funds he has made available for them in the NDB rather than relying on government handouts. He said he would continue to build and upgrade remaining roads in the district and he believes that by 2017, all rural areas in his district would have better road links. Nixon Duban having a brief discussion with the contractors on the progress of the Mist-Kamba road in Madang. Nixon Duban at the wheel of the earth-moving equipment during a ground breaking ceremony for the upgrade of Laga road in the South Ambenob LLG, (Madang)