Marape overnights at Bam forestry camp in Cloudy Bay
Prime Minister James Marape spent a night at Bam Forestry camp in the Cloudy Bay area of Central Province where he was welcomed by the PNG Forest Authority [PNGFA] and Active Forest Limited [AFL] on the 29th of August 2025, marking the significance of forestry’s contribution to the Connect PNG program, in this instance, connecting the missing link between Central Province to Milne Bay Province.
While there, Minister for Forests Salio Waipo highlighted the strategic partnership between the Department of Works and Highways and the PNGFA, enabling the connection of vital road networks in remote communities.
Through this partnership, AFL, the company engaged by the PNGFA to the Cloudy Bay Forest Management Agreement [FMA] project has connected the missing link by building two heavy transport carrier bridges across previously impassable rivers Bonua and Tavanei in Central province into Milne Bay. This route is now serving schools, health centers and the people, also opening access to markets between the two provinces.
The road currently under construction is originally a logging access route developed by AFL under PNGFA’s oversight.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Marape and the Marape/Rosso Government, we are connecting our people and bringing development closer to the people,” Minister Waipo stated.
The Cloudy Bay FMA is one of the ten impact projects originally established under the vision of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Minister Waipo emphasized that this initiative reflects a legacy of inclusive development, now being realized through the current government’s leadership.
PNGFA Managing Director John Mosoro expressed his gratitude to AFL for fixing the roads and building bridges and facilitating the Prime Minister’s visit.
“When we issue an FMA, this is the kind of forest camp that must be built, including roads and bridges. It provides employment as well as downstream processing facilities,” Mosoro said.
He recounted the historical significance of the FMA project during a critical period in 2002, when late Grand Chief Somare sought to generate national income through forestry.
“Ten impact projects were launched, three in Sepik, three in Western Province, and others in Milne Bay, East New Britain and Cloudy Bay in Central province. This FMA was signed by Sir Michael at Mailu Island to bring development to our people,” Mosoro said.
He commended Prime Minister Marape for fulfilling Grand Chief Somare’s vision stating: “History is repeating itself, Somare started it and Marape is finishing it. The late Grand Chief’s wish for Cloudy Bay has come to fruition,” MD Mosoro said.
He also announced PNGFA’s intention to re-align all FMA logging roads to meet national road standards, ensuring long-term sustainability and compliance.
“I want to thank Prime Minister Marape for coming and overnighting at Bam forestry camp and witnessing firsthand how forestry operates,” Mosoro said.