Envoy pities state of highway

 UNITED States ambassador Walter North says he sympathises with people using the Highlands Highway. 

North recently returned from a nine-day road trip from Lae in Morobe to Tari in Hela with embassy officials.

The aim of the trip was to better understand factors driving gender-based violence and economic empowerment for women, concerns of youth and to recognise the contributions of American citizens living in PNG to the country’s progress. 

The embassy team found out that the Highlands Highway considered to be an important component of the economy was in a sorry condition. 

“Using this highway caused me to sympathise with the people who travel on this road,” North said. 

“It will be a lot better to solve the problem. But I cannot solve it, however, I will help.”

He said inter-change made the understanding of a country better and that it should not be expatriate-dominated but more PNG-dominated. 

North spent time with students at Lae Secondary School and the University of Goroka. 

He encouraged the students to be the change they wanted to see. 

He met citizens from all walks of life, public servants and those who worked under trying circumstances with inadequate resources and support.