Agiru Highway opens – The National

**Part of the Agiru Route 700 Highway. Pictured is a convoy of vehicles who recently accompanied the PM along the highway. – Pictures Supplied**

THE 94km Agiru Highway linking Gulf, Southern Highlands and Hela is open for use, says Minister for Works and Highways Solan Mirisim.
Mirisim said the road was linked to the Okuk Highway and connected the Southern, Highlands and Mamose regions.
“The Agiru Highway starts in Kikori, links up with the Okuk Highway and ends at either Lae or Madang,” he said.
“For the first time in PNG, three regions are connected by road.
“The highway also known as Route 700 which started in 2016 was based on a dream to build an uninterrupted road network that will connect Kikori to the Highlands Highway at Kinsenpoi Junction in Southern Highlands and onwards to link Ramu, Madang Highway connecting the northern region.
“We have just achieved that.
“Our people in those rural enclaves can now seek markets for their rural produce and access Government services through this connected missing link.
“Over 60 per cent of this road is sealed and although 40 per cent is not yet sealed, but it is usable.
“The Government is very committed to funding this road and we hope to seal the remaining 40 per cent in this medium term.”
Prime Minister James Marape, who spent his Christmas and New Year driving along these highway and was grateful and very pleased at this milestone achievement.
“I thank the Works and Highways Department for connecting the south and north through opening up of the Erave to Simberingi Road,” he said.