Mendimanda landowners applaud SHP government’s visionary township initiative

After years of being cut off from basic government services, the Mendimanda community on the fringes of Mendi Town is now poised to become a central hub for public infrastructure and development in the Southern Highlands Province [SHP].

Local landowners have expressed deep appreciation to the SHP Government for its decisive move to invest in transformative projects that promise to uplift the Mendi Valley.

Historically separated from the rest of Mendi by the River Mendi, Mendimanda has long struggled without access to electricity and reliable road networks, services that neighboring communities have enjoyed for decades.

That isolation came to an end last week with the inauguration of a K10 million bridge, a vital infrastructure that not only reconnects Mendimanda to the Lower Mendi Local Level Government [LLG] but also signals the beginning of a major development blueprint.

The newly opened bridge will serve as the entry point to a proposed township that will house the province’s new hospital and a public service housing estate. These projects are expected to develop Mendimanda into a strategic center for health care and government operations, bringing long-awaited services directly to the people.

Speaking at the bridge opening ceremony, landowner and senior public servant Andrew Sebe commended the provincial government’s inclusive approach to development.

“Our people are peace-loving and have waited patiently for such services,” Sebe said. “We sincerely thank Governor William Powi and his administration for this initiative. It’s a genuine service to our community, and we pledge our full support to ensure the smooth progress of construction and development.”

In recognition of customary land ownership, Governor Powi presented a cheque of K13 million for land compensation, with a commitment to release an additional K13 million in the near future.

He also announced plans to construct a modern township in Mendimanda, built to Australian standards, in response to the growing space limitations and land tenure challenges in central Mendi.