Long neglected Kotna–Rulna Road upgrade restores hope

For many years, the people living along the Kotna-Rulna Road in Dei District, Western Highlands Province, have been cut off from basic government services because of poor road access.

Kotna Local Level Government is often referred to as the "back page" of Dei District and Western Highlands due to its remote location, bordering Jimi District in Jiwaka Province and parts of Madang Province.

More than 10,000 people living in six council wards along the Kotna-Rulna Road have struggled to transport their garden produce, reach health services, attend schools, and travel to Mt Hagen City.

Although previous district administrations attempted to improve the road, the communities continued to face hardship because the road remained in poor condition.

That story is about to change.

Residents of Lekhan village welcomed the arrival of heavy machineries on Sunday, July 19, when locally owned road construction company, Bindon Construction, mobilised its equipment to begin upgrading the long-neglected Kotna–Rulna Road.

The arrival of the machines brought emotional scenes, with many women, men, young and old celebrating the start of a project they had waited for over many years.

" I am from Rulna the back page of Dei Council. Sometimes when I want to bring my garden produce to the nearest market at Kotna Station, I struggled because there is no PMV services because the road is not good for vehicles to pass through to Rulna where I am. I am very thankful to Dei MP Desmond Kipa to send the machines now the upgrade this road. Now I can say I will be able to bring my garden produce to the market and sell it," a tearful Margaret Koim said.

Some were even moved to tears, saying they never thought they would see road construction equipment reach their community.

The road upgrade is part of the Dei District Development Authority's infrastructure program aimed at improving road access across the district.

Speaking to the people at Lekhan, Dei DDA Procurement Board Member Douglas Minimbi said road construction and other basic government services are being delivered at the same time throughout the district.

Mr Minimbi said the DDA, under the leadership of Dei MP Desmond Paul Kipa, is not carrying out projects one by one but is working on several important developments at the same time to make the best use of the limited time available before completing its planned programs.

" MP Kipa just got office as the MP this year yet work as already progressed in all parts of the district thus we don't have enough time left and so work is running concurrently in all the three LLGs of the district," Mr Minimbi said.

He appealed to communities to protect the workers and heavy machineries and to avoid making unnecessary demands that could delay the project.

Mr Minimbi also thanked Bindon Construction for bringing in a specialised rock-cracking machine, saying it is the only local company currently equipped with such machinery to break large rocks and boulders that could slow road construction.

"I would also like to sincerely thank Bindon Construction for bringing in the rock cracking machine for this road upgrade. Rulna roads are very challenging, and the machine will do the work for the right purpose. Bindon Construction is the only company that has this rock cracking machine, and for the company to share their equipment with the people of Dei is very much appreciated," Mr Minimbi said.

Ward members from all six council wards along the Kotna-Rulna Road thanked the Dei DDA for finally responding to the needs of their people.

They assured the contractor that the communities would provide full support and ensure the safety of both workers and equipment throughout the project.

"We will definitely look after this service that is coming. Because the work will continue day and night, we will make sure nothing happens to the machines and the workers until the project finishes," a ward member of the six wards along the Kotna-Rulna Road said.

Bindon Construction Managing Director said the Kotna-Rulna Road will be one of the company's most challenging road projects because of the difficult terrain.

He also called on local communities to work together to protect the machineries so work can continue without interruption.

The company says four more heavy machines will soon arrive at the construction site to speed up the project, with work expected to be completed before October this year.

Bindon Construction is also nearing completion of the Dupaim–Kinabuga Road upgrade in Dei District.

Once completed, the Kotna-Rulna Road will not only improve travel for thousands of people in Western Highlands but will also benefit nearby communities in Jiwaka Province.

For families who have long been isolated, the road promises easier access to markets, schools, health services and government support-turning what was once known as the district's "back page" into a community connected to opportunity.