The township of Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will now have an accessible and safe road to travel on. This has been an effort between the AROB government’s partnership with the Australian government.
Work has been completed on eight key town roads costing approximately K4.3 million by six contractors; continuing the previous road projects funded by the Australian government between Morgan Junction and Tunuru.
The upgrade includes the main roads from Arawa south through Buin, Tonu, Sovele, Jaba and Panguna.
With the development in these areas, this could also open up and increase the possibilities in the business sector as well as other opportunities for the township.
A local businesswoman, Bertha Lorenz, expressed that before the upgrading of the roads, potholes and poor road conditions made travelling difficult and slow; it also took a toll on her vehicle’s maintenance cost.
“It now takes much less time to bring clients to my guesthouse and go to the market or bank. It is a smoother ride not having to swerve to avoid potholes, and pedestrians in town are now safer,” she said.
Funded through the Australian Aid Program and delivered through the Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP), the road upgrade included provision for new line markings for junctions with over 25 road safety signs.
“The completion of this project sees a better connected town with easier access to essential services such as the hospital, market, police barracks and schools. The new road surface also helps to support the business enabling environment in Bougainville. These most recent works build on Australia’s previous support sealing four different roads in Arawa in 2012,” commented the acting Australian High Commissioner, Bronte Moules, who was pleased to note the sustained improvements to Bougainville’s transport network.
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