Highway will provide opportunities

I WOULD like to commend the government for prioritising the transnational highway linking Madang to Baiyer in Western Highlands and the rest of the Highlands provinces.
If you happen to be in an aircraft, take a look at the projected area and you will see that people in these areas have never had access to basic government services like road network, electricity and health among others.
This bold move will change the lifestyle of the people which can be regarded as similar to the Stone Age.
Even though we have been independent for 34 years, nothing much has been done in terms of development in remote areas.
Rapi Ketepa, a landowner from Walupa area said that “samples of alluvial gold deposits were collected from a nearby creek and sold in several gold buying agents in Mt Hagen and Wabag respectively since 1989 and continuing to date”.
This indicates there are possibilities of more minerals undiscovered.
The land surrounding the proposed highway is fertile for agriculture such as rice, oil palm, wheat, citrus, vegetables, etc.
With accessibilities, the people will be able to sell their garden produce, boosting employment and living standards.
Hectares of land covered with thick forest and virgin habitat is sitting idle  waiting to attract tourists.
The culture of the tribes living here is rich and the tourism industry is poised to grow.
With the highway that will link Baiyer, Ruti, Walupa, Sembai, Transgogol, Ramu and Madang, investors will also be able to come here and look for investment opportunities.

Joel Palem
Port Moresby