Milne Bay now connected by road to Port Moresby

A continuous road now connects Alotau in Milne Bay Province to the capital, Port Moresby, marking a first in Papua New Guinea’s history.

This new link is anticipated to transform one of the nation’s most remote areas, fostering economic development and improving connectivity.

Prime Minister James Marape made an official announcement today , drawing parallels to his 2022 drive from Kikori to Mt Hagen. He recounted observing Gulf Province residents selling local produce like coconuts, crabs, lobsters, and sago in Highland markets, underscoring the transformative potential of road access.

“This is a historic achievement,” Prime Minister Marape said.

The Alotau-Port Moresby route is being called an “iconic tourism highway,” designed to showcase the diverse landscapes from Milne Bay’s white and black sandy beaches to Central Province’s rich culture and scenic beauty. While currently in its early development phase and not yet fully sealed, the road is already operational and in use, with future plans to develop it into a world-class sealed highway.

“This is more than a road – it’s a pathway to tourism, agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, forestry, and other rural industries,” the Prime Minister said.

The  government plans to place  law enforcement facilities, including police stations, along strategic sections of the highways. This initiative aims to cultivate an environment conducive to business, tourism, and community development, free from criminal activity.

However, there are lingering concerns over the negative impacts roads like this will bring.

Earlier, Central Governor Rufina Peter called for a halt to the “Connect PNG” program until robust security measures are firmly established.

She has argued that the unregulated expansion of roads could exacerbate lawlessness, facilitate illegal migration, and lead to land grabbing, potentially placing considerable strain on local communities and public services.

Governor Peter has said  that without proper border security mechanisms, the expanded road networks could accelerate criminal activity and and unregulated movement of people, impacting the safety and well-being of residents in Central Province, Gulf Province, and Port Moresby.