The National Government is resuming roads maintenance and construction on Bougainville roads with Prime Minister Hon. James Marape urging road contractors to return to work.

The Prime Minister said he wants to see the upgrade done to the Kokopau-Buin road as soon as possible and also work on the Buka ring road restart and continue.

The Prime Minister was speaking to the people of Bougainville at the launch of the Central Bougainville District Development Plan in Arawa on Friday.

“I apologise that the roads are still not fixed because the contractor has stopped working. So today, I am happy with my discussions with President Toroama, and I want the contractors to start working again.

“We have brought K9 million each that the Department of Works has given for the three contractors that are here – for Buka ring road and for the road from Kokopau all the way to Buin

“I want to ask the contractors, as you work, find reliable local contractors and incubate them to grow by working with them,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Minister for Works and Highways, Solan Mirisim would be visiting Bougainville in the next week to meet with the Bougainville Works Minister to discuss this matter in detail, with the Cabinet meeting in Kokopo expected to discuss further funding for the Bougainville roads.