Mil Werip Community rallies to fund road access

This is the River Lai cane footbridge, the only access to government services for the Mil Werip community (Image: Supplied)

For decades, the people of Mil Werip in the Imbonggu District have dreamed of a road that would connect their remote community to the rest of the Southern Highlands Province. That dream, long deferred and often dismissed by successive governments, is now inching closer to reality.

Mil Werip’s only link to the outside world was a fragile cane footbridge spanning the Wara Lai River. This makeshift structure was frequently destroyed by floods, leaving students stranded from school, cutting off access to vital government services, and isolating families from their food gardens. Tragically, lives have also been lost during attempts to cross the treacherous waters.

But last week, a breakthrough arrived. The Imbonggu District Development Authority [DDA], under the leadership of local MP, Pila Niningi, announced the purchase of a compact 200 double Bailey bridge to replace the cane bridge.

Minister Niningi described the 45-meter long steel structure as a “50th Independence Anniversary gift” to the people of Mil Werip, a gesture that will benefit over 3,000 people, including students, churches, and schools in the area.

Mil Werip community leader Kep Yako said the bridge is the result of a long-awaited dream. “Our people have waited for years for a permanent bridge. This is a dream come true,” he said.

Yet, the bridge is only part of the solution. To ensure the road leading to the bridge is constructed, the community has taken matters into their own hands.

The Mil Werip community in the Imbonggu District of Southern Highlands Province contributed 13 pigs and K30,750 and gave to landowners whose land lies along the proposed road corridor (Image: Supplied))

In an extraordinary show of unity and sacrifice, villagers last Friday contributed 13 pigs valued at K29,000 and an additional K30,750 in cash to compensate landowners at Pinj village, whose land lies along the proposed road corridor.

Mr Yakio said local contractor Cane Construction Limited has stepped in to support the initiative by providing an excavator and its operator to assist with earthworks. However, the burden of fueling the machine and managing logistics falls squarely on the shoulders of the community.

“We’ve already paid the landowners,” Yako said. “Now the bigger challenge is building the road and completing the bridge. We’re appealing to the Southern Highlands Provincial Government and donor agencies to help us finish what we’ve started.”

He further stressed that Mil Werip sits at a strategic junction between the Imbonggu, Mendi-Munihu, and Nipa-Kutubu districts. The new bridge and road will not only improve access to education, healthcare, and markets but also foster greater regional connectivity and development.