LOCALS of Leron-Wantoat in Markham, Morobe, are now using a newly upgraded road that has cut travel time to Wantoat Station from six hours to four, improving access to markets, services and schools.
The road upgrade from the national highway to Wantoat Station was funded by the Markham development authority.
The project cost K16 million and was delivered through the district services improvement programme (DSIP).
Acting district administrator Willie Pilailo said the upgrade was completed in two phases, where phase one cost K9 million and covered 38km from Leron to Tamaman, while phase two cost K7 million and covered 14km from Tamaman to Wantoat station.
The National travelled on the upgraded road recently and observed that works had reached Bumbum aid post in Wantoat.
Contractors were still on site continuing gravelling and drainage works.
Before the upgrade, locals said the trip to Wantoat Station took about six hours due to poor road conditions, but with the upgrade, the journey now took four hours.
Local level government (LLG) president Bingmalu Yuwia thanked the authority, saying the road had been a long-standing challenge for communities in the LLG.
“My people are now travelling safely to their destinations and it has brought great joy to me,” he said.
Yuwia explained that the road ran through mountainous terrain and was frequently damaged by landslips and soil erosion during heavy rain.
“This disrupted our movements to bring our cash crops as well as fresh produce to the market to earn income to support our family,” he said.
Yuwia called on the authority to continue maintaining the road to ensure safe and reliable access year-round.
