The National Government has for the first time allocated K20million for roads in provinces developing oil palm.
Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, says the funding will be parked under the agriculture sector. He says this is to help the oil palm sector.
Abel says the funding will cater for about 1,250 kilometres of roads identified around the country.
West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel, says the economic benefit will triple if these roads are completed. He says this funding will have a significant effect on developers of oil palm including the small growers.
Other provinces will also benefit from the K20million allocation. These include Northern, Milne Bay, New Ireland and Central. However, more than 750 kilometres of roads are in West New Britain.
Apart from other oil palm developing provinces, Governor Muthuvel says the output of developing feeder roads in oil palm areas will have more benefit.
Oil palm developers and provincial governments will now partner to access their share of funding to begin develop oil palm feeder roads.
