New road transforms life for Sandaun block communi
17 Dec 2025
A significant milestone was marked last month December 2025 with the official opening of the 3.5-kilometre Vunapalading-Burit agriculture feeder road in the rural areas of the Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District of East New Britain.
The feeder road is rehabilitated and upgraded under the National Government initiative supported by the World Bank through the PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Cocoa project at a cost of K4.56 million.
The project Agriculture Feeder Roads component aim to improve access to value chains and markets for farmers through rehabilitation and maintenance of priority feeder roads so that cocoa farmers especially to bring their produce to reach the markets.
The ceremony was officiated by the East New Britain Governor Hon. Michael Marum, who officially opened the road by cutting the ribbon. The ceremony was witnessed by the Gazelle District administration representatives, Cocoa Board of PNG representatives, PACD Cocoa staffs, surrounding community ward members and benefitted community members.
Speaking during the opening on behalf of the PACD Cocoa Project Manager Productive Partnership Coordinator Martin Powell added that this feeder road upgrade will greatly improve accessibility, transportation and connectivity for rural communities, enabling farmers especially cocoa farmers to easily transport their produce to markets.
He said the road will also enhance access to essential services such as health, education and economic opportunities, contributing to improved livelihoods and sustainable rural development. Mr Powell also announce that the PACD project will continue to work together with the community to deliver road maintenance training such as grass cutting and drain cleaning so that the road will last long.
The Governor of East New Britain when giving his speech he said this road is more than just infrastructure. It is a pathway for development, a pathway for farmers to take their produce to market, and a pathway for improving livelihoods for our rural communities.
“For too long, poor road access has limited opportunities for our people. Today we take another step forward in changing that,” said Mr Marum. Governor Marum acknowledged the National Government for the initiative and the World Bank support and the PACD Project Senior Engineer for their partnership in delivering this well constructed road to the Vunapalading Burit communities.
Governor also praised the ENB provincial Government and the Women and Youth in Agriculture Program for their partnership and long-term commitment, particularly in supporting our cocoa rehabilitation efforts since 2014.
“As a provincial government, we remain committed to improving feeder road across East New Britain because agriculture is the backbone of our economy. When farmers are supported, families are supported and when families are supported our province grows together,”.
Marum encouraged the community to take ownership of this road, look after it and use it productively for the benefit of present and future generations. The feeder road is now accessible to PMVs community members now have been relieved of the burden of long walks with their market produce and cocoa bags.
The feeder road is rehabilitated and upgraded under the National Government initiative supported by the World Bank through the PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Cocoa project at a cost of K4.56 million.
The project Agriculture Feeder Roads component aim to improve access to value chains and markets for farmers through rehabilitation and maintenance of priority feeder roads so that cocoa farmers especially to bring their produce to reach the markets.
The ceremony was officiated by the East New Britain Governor Hon. Michael Marum, who officially opened the road by cutting the ribbon. The ceremony was witnessed by the Gazelle District administration representatives, Cocoa Board of PNG representatives, PACD Cocoa staffs, surrounding community ward members and benefitted community members.
Speaking during the opening on behalf of the PACD Cocoa Project Manager Productive Partnership Coordinator Martin Powell added that this feeder road upgrade will greatly improve accessibility, transportation and connectivity for rural communities, enabling farmers especially cocoa farmers to easily transport their produce to markets.
He said the road will also enhance access to essential services such as health, education and economic opportunities, contributing to improved livelihoods and sustainable rural development. Mr Powell also announce that the PACD project will continue to work together with the community to deliver road maintenance training such as grass cutting and drain cleaning so that the road will last long.
The Governor of East New Britain when giving his speech he said this road is more than just infrastructure. It is a pathway for development, a pathway for farmers to take their produce to market, and a pathway for improving livelihoods for our rural communities.
“For too long, poor road access has limited opportunities for our people. Today we take another step forward in changing that,” said Mr Marum. Governor Marum acknowledged the National Government for the initiative and the World Bank support and the PACD Project Senior Engineer for their partnership in delivering this well constructed road to the Vunapalading Burit communities.
Governor also praised the ENB provincial Government and the Women and Youth in Agriculture Program for their partnership and long-term commitment, particularly in supporting our cocoa rehabilitation efforts since 2014.
“As a provincial government, we remain committed to improving feeder road across East New Britain because agriculture is the backbone of our economy. When farmers are supported, families are supported and when families are supported our province grows together,”.
Marum encouraged the community to take ownership of this road, look after it and use it productively for the benefit of present and future generations. The feeder road is now accessible to PMVs community members now have been relieved of the burden of long walks with their market produce and cocoa bags.
