Wanuma people in Middle Ramu set to get road access

People in the newly created Wanuma Local Level Government of Middle Ramu District can now look forward to having road accessibility into the provincial capital after 51 years of being neglected by successive governments and leaders.

Wanuma was gazetted last year as the fifth LLG for Middle Ramu after Arabaka, Simbai, Kovon and Josephstaal, following a successful submission by the local MP, Kansol Harwai Kamdaru.

Construction work on its council chambers is underway and nearing completion.

Wanuma is located along the southern slopes of the Adelbert Range and was formerly part of Josephstaal LLG.

This neglected LLG sits between Madang, Sumkar, and Middle Ramu districts, and it is almost 4,000 population constitutes of people from all three electorates.

Their only means of reaching Madang Town to access basic government services or sell their cash crops like cocoa, coffee, betelnut, and tobacco plus garden produce is by trekking two to three days into Transgogol, for those on the Madang border areas, whilst those on the Sumkar sidewalk several hours down to Malas or Bunabun, where they then get on a PMV into town.

The local people said that their struggles for road connectivity plus other basic services often force them to cast their votes in all three electorates during national elections, hoping their problems would be addressed.

Their efforts, however; continue to go unnoticed by successive leaders and governments.

This prompted Middle Ramu MP, Kansol Harwai Kamdaru to make a submission for Wanuma to have its own LLG.

"The primary reason they had to be separated from Josephstaal was because they are too far away from Josephstaal and often missed out on basic government services.

"Having their own LLG gives them the power to make their own decisions and manage their own affairs," Kamdaru said.

Last Saturday, MP Kamdaru flew by helicopter to Wanuma and met with the local people.

He assured them that road works to Wanuma have begun under an interdistrict arrangement between Sumkar and Middle Ramu districts.

Mr Kamdaru also presented a million-kina cheque to the contractor, Lani Moka, owner of Roke Civil Works Ltd that is working on the road, starting from Malas to Hatitau wards 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in Wanuma LLG.

The contractor was engaged by Sumkar DDA.

The road maintenance and construction is an initiative of Sumkar District Development Authority, under the leadership of MP, Alex Suguman.

It is a ringroad that will cut through Wanuma and back to Wanambre, Inion, and Bunabun in the Sumglibar LLG of Sumkar district.

Kamdaru stated that Middle Ramu DDA has provided the K1m counter funding to assist in completing the 78.8 kilometers road, a much- needed infrastructure that will enable his Wanuma people to access other basic services as well as boost their economic activities.

"You have missed out on a lot of services in the last 51 years and this is an opportunity that we must embrace. Middle Ramu is a big district that shares borders with Madang, Bogia, Sumkar and Usino/ Bundi districts and provinces like Western Highlands Jiwaka, Enga and East Sepik. Developing Middle Ramu is a mammoth task. We can't expect it to change in five years.

"The development challenges that we are facing today are legacy issues, and we must all work together to achieve our development goals," he added.

He further extended his appreciation to Sumkar MP and the Member for Usino/ Bundi, Vincent Kumura for assisting him and his people through such partnership arrangements, especially in road connectivity.

Middle Ramu is the only district in Madang Province that is still lacking road accessibility into the provincial capital, a challenge that Kamdaru is seriously taking on.

Wanuma LLG President, Amandi Gurunan thanked MP Kamdaru for visiting his people.

He said that Mr Kamdaru was the first MP to visit the Wanuma people, a gesture that his people highly appreciated.

Middle Ramu DDA, meanwhile; has also bought a Lucas sawmill for the Wanuma people, which Kamdaru handed over to them on Saturday.

They will use the sawmill to mill timbers for new classrooms and teachers' houses at the local primary school, community health posts and church buildings.

He also told them that building materials for a new double classroom for their school were ready and would be flown in any time funding is available for freight costs