Road links key to Jiwaka growth

By PISAI GUMAR
JIWAKA Governor Dr William Tongamp is focusing on roads and bridges as the key to opening up service delivery to improve communities in his newly established province.
Tongamp assured the Manada people while opening Korpuknok bridge in the Anglimp-South Waghi electorate, that links would help with the province’s development.
He was in the province the previous weekend to commission the bridge and assure the public that it was open to them for use.
Tongamp said he had gauged the needs for Jimi, Waghi (North and South) and Kambi that comprises Jiwaka.
“My government has already identified seven main road links and the work has already commenced on Kendu-Nondugl (North Waghi) and Minj-Ngumar (Anglimp-South Waghi), which the bridge is part of,” Tongamp said.
Other projects in line for development include the Kudjip-Minj (Anglimp-South Waghi) link, Aviamp-Kuli-Anglimp (Anglimp-South Waghi), Banz-Karap-Tabibuga and Karap-Kol, in Jimi.
Tongamp also urged the three MPs to work together to make things easier.
“Manada people need to look after government services. If destroyed, you are the ones who will be badly affected,” he said.
Simon Koim, while under Western Highlands, said the bridge was built by the Waghi council in the 1970s by late Mukap Bolkin.
The Waghi council was located at Kerowil, Banz, and  initiated the road and bridge but they deteriorated due to continuous tribal warfare.
“For almost 19 years, no MP took the initiative, leaving Manada people in isolation known as ‘back page’.
“The Manada people also need other service agencies such as police, health, agriculture and missionaries and they will rely on roads and bridges” Koim said.