The Okuk Highway, built in 1953, is a vital transportation route in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Named after Sir Iambakey Okuk, a mechanic and an influential figure in the country’s history known for his work in labour rights and politics, the highway was originally known as the Highlands Highway. 

The Okuk Highway stretches over 700 kilometres, linking the Highlands Region to the coastal city of Lae in Morobe Province. This connection is essential for nearly 40% of PNG’s population living in the Highlands Region, which is known for fertile land and diverse agricultural activities. The highway plays a crucial role in the country’s economy by facilitating the transportation of agricultural products, such as coffee, from the highlands to coastal areas for export. Over the years, it has also served large scale mining and petroleum projects as an essential supply route.  

It is estimated that the highway supports economic activities worth K1 billion annually, significantly contributing to the livelihoods of people living along its route. To meet the increasing traffic and the evolving needs of local communities, the highway has undergone several upgrades and improvements over the years. PNG has approximately 30,000 kilometres of roads. The National Government is responsible for the maintenance of about 9,000 kilometres of national roads, while the remaining 21,000 kilometres fall under provincial and district government management. Unfortunately, the road network has suffered from a lack of maintenance funding over the years. The situation is expected to improve with the implementation of the Connect PNG Program. The Connect PNG Program is an initiative launched by the government of PNG aimed at improving the country’s transportation infrastructure.  

According to the Road Maintenance and Development report released by the Department of Works and Highways, the Okuk Highway is a priority maintenance project as being one of the main key national highways in the country. The Okuk Highway stands as a testament to the importance of transportation infrastructure in promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life for the people of PNG. PNG has limited resources to spend on infrastructure development and maintenance. 

 The question now is, can we prioritise the maintenance of existing essential road infrastructure such as this over new roads?

Picture: Okuk Highway by Dion Kombeng, Tribe Agency