PNG National Information Center

10/04/2026

K5 MILLION EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR BOUGAINVILLE DISASTER

Bougainville’s national leaders have announced an urgent K5 million emergency response package following widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Maila, which has crippled infrastructure, displaced communities, and triggered an emerging humanitarian crisis.

Ramason Bridge in Tinputz has been cut off at the embankment, severing a critical transport link and further isolating communities in North Bougainville.

Regional Member Hon. Peter L. Tsiamalili Jr., South Bougainville MP Hon. Timothy Masiu, Central Bougainville MP Hon. Jimmy Miringtoro, and North Bougainville MP Hon. Francesca Semoso confirmed they have collectively agreed on a coordinated response strategy following a high-level meeting.

While the meeting was held, Hon. Francesca Semoso remained on the ground in Bougainville, maintaining direct oversight of the situation in her electorate.

“This is not just a weather event this is a humanitarian and infrastructure emergency affecting the whole of Bougainville,” the leaders said.

Read news article: https://info.gov.pg/k5-million-emergency-response-for-bougainville-disaster/

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

🔴 SPECIAL GALE FORCE WIND WARNING 🔴
⚠️ SPECIAL GALE FORCE WIND WARNING ISSUED BY PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VALID AT 05:00 PM Friday, 10 April 2026.

HIGH PRIORITY
🌊 SYNOPTIC SITUATION AT 04:00 PM 10/04/2026 (100600 UTC).

A Tropical Low is developing north of the equator about 08.1°N Latitude and 152.0°E Longitude with strong to very strong westerly winds dominant over the northern part of PNG.

🔴 WARNING AREA(S):
• MANUS
• NEW IRELAND
• WEST & EAST SEPIK
• NEW BRITAIN ISLAND
• BOUGAINVILLE

⚠️ WARNING NOTE:
💨 NORTHWEST GALE FORCE WINDS OF 34/47 KNOTS ARE FORECASTED TO INTERMITTENTLY REACH STORM FORCE STRENGTH OF 55 KNOTS.

⚠️ CAUTION:
🌊 IT IS ADVISABLE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID GOING OUT TO SEA AND RESIDENTS OF VILLAGES ALONG THE COASTLINES OF THE WARNING AREAS ARE ALSO WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGES OF THE SEA.

🔵 NEXT REVIEW: 11:00 PM, Friday 10/04/2026.



DATE/TIME: 10/04/2026 04:00 PM (100600 UTC).

10/03/2026

PM MARAPE OPENS 35 NEW DOUBLE LANE BRIDGES ON HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY, REINFORCES INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape yesterday officially opened 35 newly constructed permanent bridges along the Highlands Highway, describing the country’s most important transport corridor as the backbone of Papua New Guinea’s economy.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Zumim Bridge in Markham District, marking the completion of the first major phase of bridge reconstruction under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)–funded Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme (SHHIP) Tranche 2.

The new dual-lane concrete bridges replace ageing Bailey bridges that had served the highway for decades but had deteriorated under increasing traffic loads and heavy freight movement along the critical corridor linking the Highlands region to Lae Port.

Prime Minister Marape said the Highlands Highway carries nearly 80 percent of Papua New Guinea’s economic activity, making continued government investment in its maintenance and modernization a national priority.

“This highway sustains the country. It carries the bulk of our economy from the Highlands to the port of Lae and to the rest of the world. It is worth reinvesting billions of kina into this national asset,” he said.

Joining the Prime Minister at the ceremony were Minister for Works and Highways Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, Morobe Governor Hon. Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito, Markham MP Hon. Koni Iguan, representatives of the Asian Development Bank, and local leaders.

Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that the initial Highlands Highway restoration programme was secured under the previous government with approximately K1 billion in funding supported by ADB, but said the Marape–Rosso Government expanded the program significantly, committing an additional K2 billion for bridge replacements, road reinforcement and other critical upgrades along the corridor.

“In total, close to K3 billion has now been invested into rebuilding this highway, which is the economic spine of our nation,” he said.

He added that within the next six months, the highway corridor from Lae to Mount Hagen is expected to operate with modern bridge infrastructure and significantly improved road conditions.

Minister for Works and Highways Peter Tsiamalili Jr emphasized the national importance of the highway, stating that it connects close to five million people, nearly half of Papua New Guinea’s population, and carries the majority of the country’s exports.

“This highway links close to five million people. About 40 to 50 percent of the country uses this road, and nearly 80 percent of our exports travel along this corridor,” he said.

Read more: https://info.gov.pg/pm-marape-opens-35-new-double-lane-bridges-on-highlands-highway-reinforces-infrastructure-push/

10/03/2026

Prime Minister James Marape delivers his full speech at the Zumin River Bridge in Markham, Morobe Province, marking the completion of 35 bridges under the Highlands Highway Infrastructure Program (SHHIP) from Nadzab in Lae to Henganofi in Eastern Highlands.

The unveiling of the commemorative plaque marks a major milestone in the ongoing effort to replace 71 bridges along the Highlands Highway, strengthening this vital economic corridor.

Watch the Prime Minister’s full address from the ceremony at Zumin on Monday, 9 March 2026.

09/03/2026

Marape Commissions Zumin River Bridge, Marking Completion of 35 Bridges Under Highlands Highway Infrastructure Program

09/03/2026

Governor Bird calls on Govt to Prioritize Road Maintenance, Works Minister Explains Diesel Levy, Spotlights Road Maintenance Budget at Launch of K1.2 Billion Road Project in East Sepik ....

East Sepik saw the launch of the K1.2 billion ConnectPNG road upgrade project on Thursday March 5, at Maprik, with Works and Highways Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird stressing that the real challenge is not just building roads but keeping them in good condition for future generations.

East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird reminded people that past roads were left to deteriorate. He said the last major works were done under Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in 2004, but since then they were not maintained.

“A lot of times when we build roads, we do not think about maintaining it, and these roads were not maintained since the late Grand Chief was Prime Minister. So I request that Prime Minister to put budget aside for road maintenance,” Governor Bird said.

Minister for Works and Highways Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr explained that the government has already budgeted K150 million for road maintenance this year and K40 million for bridge maintenance.

He also pointed to the diesel fuel levy under the Road Management and Fund Act 2020, which formerly collects K0.04t now the government collects 20 toea per litre of diesel to fund road maintenance.

“When you pay for fuel, you are contributing to the road you’re driving on. So, you buy fuel, you are looking after the road,” Minister Tsiamalili said.

The Works Minister added that it is now a policy and a system of government, so when leaders come and go, it will remain and will continue to contribute towards road maintenance.

Secretary for Works and Highways Mr. Gibson Holemba also urged people to take care of the new roads.

“Government has spent a lot of money to develop this and I want to clarify that to you so you can look after this road,” he said.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape added that the new roads must not be wasted. He said they should be used to improve lives and create opportunities.

“If we don’t change our negativities, this road will go to waste. I want this road to be a blessing so that the children of East Sepik will become better, prosperous and earning money from their own land,” the Prime Minister said.

(NEWs Article: https://info.gov.pg/connectpng-focuses-on-road-maintenance-works-minister-highlights-fuel-levy-contribution-at-launch-of-k1-2-billion-road-project-in-east-sepik/ )

09/03/2026

PM Marape Launch K382.5 Million ConnectPNG Passam Junction to Angoram Road Construction Project

Papua New Guinea’s major infrastructure initiative, the ConnectPNG Program, progressed to Angoram, East Sepik with the launch of the design and construction of the 87-kilometre road from Passam Junction to Angoram Station. The project, valued at K382.5 million, was announced by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape during the project launching event at the Angoram, Waterfront East Sepik on friday March 6.

Prime Minister reflected on the legacy of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, describing him as a gift of the people of East Sepik to the nation. He invoked the famous proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit,” to highlight Somare’s vision for future generations.

Marape said ConnectPNG is a way of continuing Somare’s work to ensure no child, no community, and no province is left behind.

“You deserve this road, and it is about time you are getting this road. I want business men and women to rise up from this place,” He told the people of Angoram,

The Prime Minister emphasized that Sepik holds vast untapped potential for economic sustainability, pointing to its river systems, land, seas, human capital, culture, and sustainable resources. He noted that fifty years after independence, this road will finally be sealed, linking Angoram to the provincial capital and the rest of the country.

Marape also announced a K100 million upgrade of Boram Airport under Phase II of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program. The project will deliver a two-story terminal and allow larger aircraft to land in Wewak.

He further highlighted the upgrade of national power infrastructure, moving from the historic 66kV system to a modern 132kV high-voltage backbone capable of carrying larger volumes of electricity across the Highlands.

“The Highlands 132kV Transmission Line from Hides Gas to Lae forms part of a major national grid investment that began in 2021 and has progressed through several phases before reaching commissioning in 2026,” he said.

Looking out over the Sepik River, Marape envisioned a future where international tourists from China and Europe visit Angoram, supported by new infrastructure.

He revealed that government has endorsed the splitting of Angoram District into two separate districts to improve governance and service delivery.

On mining, he assured locals that the Frieda Mine would be developed sustainably. “We will work on the Frieda Mine in a way that will not kill the Frieda River, but prosper the East Sepik economy and the economy of Papua New Guinea.”

In memory of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and Lady Veronica Somare, Marape announced a K10 million road project to Murik village, the birthplace of the late Grand Chief.

He urged the people of Angoram and East Sepik to embrace leadership and work together to grow agriculture and sustainable forestry.

“A billion kina is not enough to build this economic zone, however we are starting with that and we will grow.”

News Article: https://info.gov.pg/marape-launches-k382-5-million-road-project-linking-passam-junction-to-angoram/

09/03/2026

ConnectPNG Program Brings K1.2 Billion Road Upgrade to East Sepik

Papua New Guinea’s high-impact national infrastructure initiative coordinated by the Department of Works and Highways, the ConnectPNG Program reaches East Sepik, with the launch of the K1.2 billion road upgrade.

The launch was officiated by Prime Minister Hon. Chief James Marape, along with Minister for Works and Highways and Acting ICT Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird and other Ministers of State.

The projects include the design and construction of a 310 kilometre road from Karaitem to Lumi, a 66.4 kilometre road from Nimprim Bridge in Maprik to Warasikau Bridge, and an 87 kilometre road from Passam Junction to Angoram Station.

Other works under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program Phase II will see upgrades to Hayfield Road and Boram Airport, strengthening transport links across the province.

Prime Minister Marape told the people of East Sepik that the investment was both deserved and necessary.

He said the province had long contributed to the nation through agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and it was only fair that such infrastructure was delivered.

“East Sepik you deserve this… it is your right and you deserve it and it is coming to you,” he said.

He urged citizens to use the new roads productively, warning that without positive change, the infrastructure could be wasted.

“I want this road to be a blessing so that the children of East Sepik will become better, prosperous and earning money from their own land,” he said.

Governor Allan Bird welcomed the launch and acknowledged the late Minister for Works and Highways, Hon. Solan Mirisim, for his role in discussions on the project.

He recalled that the last major road works in the province were carried out under the leadership of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in 2004.

“A lot of times when we build roads, we do not think about maintaining it… I request that Prime Minister put budget aside for road maintenance,” he said.

Governor Bird also highlighted the strategic importance of Hayfield Airport and reaffirmed provincial support for national government initiatives across policing, defense, judiciary and utilities.

Read more: https://info.gov.pg/connectpng-program-brings-k1-2-billion-road-upgrade-to-east-sepik/

08/03/2026

Prime Minister James Marape, accompanied by several cabinet ministers, visited Angoram in East Sepik Province on Thursday, 7 April 2026, to launch a number of key development projects aimed at improving infrastructure and creating new opportunities for local communities.

During the visit, the Prime Minister delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech, reflecting on his political journey and acknowledging the influence of Papua New Guinea’s founding father, the Late Grand Chief Michael Somare. He credited Sir Michael Somare’s leadership, guidance, and vision as a major inspiration in shaping his path in national leadership.

Prime Minister Marape also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bringing development closer to rural communities while upholding the values and legacy of leaders who laid the foundation for the nation’s progress. This video features the full speech delivered by the Prime Minister during the launch in Angoram.

05/03/2026

PM Marape Launches K1.2 Billion Sepik Highway Upgrade, Major Connect PNG Project