WAPENAMANDA DDA PRIORITISE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTRURE AND

CAPTION: Civil roadworks and maintenace carried out by Setao Construction Limited along the Mukurumanda – Tsak Raiakam road in the Wapenamanda District of Enga Province.

By MORTIMER YANGHARRY

MAJOR road links in the two local level government areas of the Wapenamanda District in Enga Province are undergoing maintenance and upgrading while other pilot tracts have been constructed to connect rural villages to access basic government services and participate in economic activities.

Wapenamanda District Development Authority (WDDA) Chairman and Wapenamanda Open MP Miki Kaeok mentioned that a local road construction company, Setao Construction, is currently doing upgrade and maintenance work on the Tsak Road Maintenance Project, covering the section from Mukuramanda Junction near the main Highlands Highway to Raiakam Junction in the Tsak local level government.

He said that the maintenance works include pavement resheeting, drainage improvements, culvert installation, slip protection, gabion structures, Type D cut works and the removal of road slips ensuring this vital road link is durable for a longer period.

MP Kaeok, who is also the Minister for Transport and Coffee in the Marape-Rosso Government, also acknowledged the ongoing construction of the Tsak–Raiakam road and the Pitipais RMCN Secondary School–Tambul road, connecting the Tsak LLG into the neighboring Tambul Nebliyer District of Western Highlands Province, saying the projects would significantly improve connectivity for communities in these rural area.

Minister Kaeok maintains that better road access would support the movement of agricultural produce, improve access to schools and other essential services and create greater economic opportunities for rural communities.

He sincerely acknowledged the Department of Works and Highways and the Marape–Rosso Government for their continued support towards infrastructure development in Wapenamanda District, including the Lowarlai constituency bordering the Kompiam District and Baiyer in Western Highlands Province and and Tsak LLG communities along the Tambul Nebliyer District border in the Western Highlands Province.

Minister Kaeok also outlined the challenges faced by communities in parts of Wapenamanda District, including tribal fighting, reaffirming the Wapenamanda DDA’S commitment to maintaining vital road connections despite these difficulties.