Prime Minister Hon. James Marape will travel to Kiunga in Western Province tomorrow to officially launch the upgraded Kiunga Airport, delivered through Papua New Guinea’s partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Prime Minister will inaugurate the extended runway and newly constructed terminal, a development expected to significantly enhance the region’s economic and social connectivity.
The Kiunga Airport redevelopment is part of the broader Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP), which has been ongoing since 2019 under the Marape-Rosso Government. The airport will now be able to accommodate larger aircraft, improve passenger comfort, and facilitate cargo transportation, strengthening Western Province’s link to the rest of the country and beyond.
“This is more than just an airport upgrade,” Prime Minister Marape said. “It’s a state-ment about inclusion and progress. “This infrastructure will serve the people of Middle Fly and the greater Western Province, unlocking opportunities that have long been out of reach due to isolation and poor connectivity.”
He also acknowledged ADB’s vital support in funding and technical assistance, calling the organisation a true development partner that has consistently stood by Papua New Guinea’s long-term ambitions.
Kiunga is emerging as a critical economic centre. The P’nyang and Stanley gas fields, two of PNG’s promising new resource developments, are nearby. With Frieda River and other resource opportunities on the horizon, the upgraded airport is poised to become a key logistics hub supporting both the public and private sectors.
The visit to Kiunga also highlights other projects initiated in the region since 2019. For the first time, the road from Kiunga to Tabubil is being sealed, making travel safer and faster. Further road construction from Tabubil is opening up access to Telefomin, an area once accessible only by air. This transformation is connecting rural communities to markets, schools, and healthcare, while agroforestry initiatives are being developed to diversify the local economy.
“The roads we are building are not just for travel—they are lifelines of economic opportunity, social mobility, and national unity,” the Prime Minister said. “We want our people in remote areas to know they are not forgotten.”
Following his visit to Kiunga, the Prime Minister will travel to Wabag in Enga Province to officially open the new Enga Provincial Hospital. Built at a cost of over K450 million, the hospital is the most significant single investment by the PNG Government in provincial healthcare infrastructure. The facility features modern operating theatres, diagnostic services, and inpatient wards and is expected to become a referral centre for the Highlands region.
“This hospital reflects our belief that quality healthcare should not be a luxury reserved for Port Moresby alone,” said Prime Minister Marape. “Every citizen, regardless of where they live, deserves access to the best possible medical care.”
As the country marks 50 years of independence and the 50th anniversary of the kina, Marape stressed that his Government’s development record speaks for itself. Despite criticisms from opposition figures, he said, work is being carried out across the country—even if it is not always publicised.
Airport upgrades are taking place in places like Nadzab in Morobe, complemented by the Lae-Nadzab Road sealing. Roads are being constructed and sealed between Lae and Menyamya, Aseki, Kaintiba and Gulf Province, connecting once-remote areas to vital services. The Highlands Highway is undergoing a massive transformation under a K2 billion upgrade project that includes new bridges and dual-sealed road surfaces, slashing travel time between Lae and Mt Hagen in half.
In addition to delivering infrastructure, the Government is also focused on sound economic management. Outstanding debts inherited from previous administrations are being repaid. Current contractors are being paid on time. Strategic investments in projects like Papua LNG, Pasca B, P’nyang LNG, Porgera, and Wafi-Golpu are moving ahead, all with stronger local content requirements to ensure benefits stay in-country.
“These are not promises; these are realities already taking shape,” the Prime Minister said. “Development is happening. It may not always be loud, but it is consistent, strategic, and focused on delivering for our people.”
He said that the focus now is not just on launching new projects, but on completing and maintaining them, ensuring that the development is sustainable and impactful for future generations.
“As we enter the next chapter of our country’s history, I want every citizen—from the remotest village to the busiest urban centre—to feel the impact of Government,” Marape said. “Tomorrow’s visit to Kiunga and Wabag is a reflection of that commitment.
“These investments are not just bricks and mortar. They are hope, dignity, and opportunity for our people.”