A Road Reopened, A Future Unlocked: EU-STREIT PNG Programme Delivers For Rural Sepik, Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea’s West Sepik, the EU-STREIT PNG Programme transformed lives by rehabilitating a 16.7 km road, reconnecting 12,000 rural villagers to markets and services. This climate-resilient infrastructure slashed transport costs, revived cocoa farming, and created jobs, empowering communities and fostering sustainable economic growth.

A Decade of Isolation

For nearly 10 years, over 12,000 people in five coastal villages in Papua New Guinea’s West Sepik Province had no proper road. The only way to reach the provincial capital, Vanimo, was by boat. This was risky, especially during rough seas, and very costly for families trying to sell their goods or visit essential services. This situation was particularly challenging when villagers needed urgent medical attention, as transporting sick individuals by boat was difficult and often dangerous.

Paving the Way: The EU-STREIT Intervention

In June 2024, everything began to change. The International Labour Organization (ILO) under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, helped fix the 16.7 km road between Rawo and Leitre villages. The work includes filling embankments, laying gravel, building 22 relief culverts, two slab culverts, and two box bridges. These features were carefully designed to ensure year-round, climate-resilient accessibility—even in harsh weather conditions. Now, cars, buses, and motorcycles can safely travel the road at any time of day or night.

Reconnecting Communities, Easing Burdens

The road now connects Rawo and Leitre with three other nearby villages in the Bewani-Wutung-Onei LLG of Vanimo-Green District to the main road leading to the Provincial capital. This has reopened access to markets and services, making life easier for many and enabling local agribusinesses to thrive.

Father Joseph Runnai from the Catholic Mission Station in Leitre village says, “This road is a very big plus for the rural community here and we’re very pleased indeed. Though we have boats, it was risky at times during rough seas and also expensive compared to Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) fares.”

Economic Revival: A Boost for Local Farmers

Previously, cocoa farmers faced steep costs—PGK 50 for passenger fare and another PGK 50 per 63kg cocoa bag—to reach Vanimo by boat. Now, they pay only PGK 20 for both passenger fare and freight on PMV, saving PGK 60 per trip. Moreover, boat travel was limited to mornings due to afternoon sea conditions. If villagers stayed until early afternoon, around 2 or 3 PM, they had no choice but to find overnight accommodation in town, adding extra expense, inconvenience, and difficulty to their trips.

The restored road has not only reduced transportation costs but also reignited interest in cocoa farming. Farmers, previously discouraged by logistical challenges, are returning to cocoa cultivation. This resurgence is supported by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme. The Programme provides pest-tolerant seedlings, tools, and materials, along with training in sustainable farming and business management. Additionally, the Programme has facilitated the upgrading of fermentary units, including meeting requirements for certification by Cocoa Board of PNG, and introduced renewable energy solutions to enhance processing efficiency.

Sweet Success: Community and Cocoa Thriving

Cocoa farmer and fermentary operator Mr. Penuel Amele shared, “Every day we see excited women and children carrying their wet cocoa beans in small bags and smiling to the fermentary to sell. This is something we didn’t see in the community for years.” He added that interest has picked up among youths to distribute and plant Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) tolerant seedlings from their nurseries. Unlike before, there is an increase in cash flow with thousands of Kina being circulated in the community, and this will increase. They are planning for a storage house, with support from the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, because production is picking up.

The fermentary, recently upgraded with support from the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, has already produced 467 kg of dried beans – within a month cycle – and earned PGK 6,424. Operated by 103 cocoa farmers under Saint Mary’s Cocoa Growers Group, the fermentary reinvests profits to purchase more wet beans from local farmers, paying PGK 4/kg, with plans to increase to PGK 5/kg to further motivate cocoa cultivation.

Expanding Horizons: Benefits for Vanilla and Fisheries

Beyond cocoa, the rehabilitated road benefits 81 vanilla farmers and 350 fishers in the community. Vanilla farmer Desmond Sinene says, “I’m very happy that I can travel easily into Vanimo town which is cheaper to find buyers for my beans.” He used the road to reach Batas Market at the PNG-Indonesia border and sold 6 kg of beans for PGK 800.

Empowering Women and Enhancing Mobility

Women, too, are experiencing newfound opportunities. Regina Naro, a mother trained and supported by the Programme, noted, “I’m happy that the road has come to our village. We the mothers can travel easily by road anytime of the day into town markets. Now I’m waiting for a PMV to travel to Vanimo to sell some sago and greens in town.”

The improved infrastructure has also facilitated the adoption of motorcycles, a popular mode of transport in the area. Jalwin Barbare, who recently acquired a motorcycle, stated, “Without this road, I would not buy this motorcycle,” after using it to take a relative to a farm. In Leitre Village alone, more than 10 motorcycles can now be seen parked under houses.

Creating Opportunities: Employment and Social Inclusion

The road project also created decent employment opportunities. Six locals, including two women, were engaged as rural road maintenance group members for routine maintenance works of the road and earn PGK 700 each month. One of them is 27-year-old Raynatalyn Simewa, a young mother with hearing impairment. Her mother, Rachel, helps her communicate. This is her first job, and it gives her pride and purpose. She uses the money to buy clothes for herself and her child and saves for school fees. Once seen as insignificant, Raynatalyn is now a valued contributor to her family and community. Her story reflects the Programme’s strong focus on social inclusion, empowering differently-abled persons and ensuring no one is left behind.

Strengthening Essential Public Services

Public services have seen improvements, too. The road makes it easier for teachers and health workers to execute their duties. Fr. Joseph explains, “Our teachers utilize this road any time of the day to check for their needs and also to do their shopping in town. Basic medication supply for the sub-health centre are now delivered by road as well as building materials for our new staff house which was recently constructed in the mission station.”

The Power of Partnership and a Brighter Future

These developments are the result of robust partnerships. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and implemented jointly with ILO, other involved UN agencies in close collaboration with government partners, demonstrates how collaborative efforts can drive rural development. By combining institutional knowledge, technical assistance, and community engagement, the Programme has constructed more than infrastructure—it has built a pathway to opportunity.

The villagers are excited about the future. They now feel more connected and hopeful. With better access to markets, services, and income, the road is helping their community grow. As Penuel puts it, “All we wanted was a road and we can now take off from here.”

A Global Gateway Strategy Realized Locally

This transformative impact aligns with a broader initiative. The support to sustainable infrastructure under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme represents the first articulation of the EU Global Gateway Strategy's rollout in Papua New Guinea. By advancing sustainable infrastructure, digital access, and renewable energy in rural areas, the Programme reduces transaction costs and boosts productivity, connecting local agribusinesses to global markets through “smart, clean, and secure” solutions—making the EU’s global vision a tangible reality on the ground.

About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by FAO’s support in enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. Additionally, the Programme strengthens and improves the efficiency of value chain enablers, including access to Information & Communication Technology (ICT) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and digital financial services by UNCDF. ILO also supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient roads and other transport infrastructures while UNDP provides renewable energy solutions. The Programme directly benefits two provinces: East Sepik and West Sepik. 

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