MI HAMAMAS – EU funded STREIT Programme makes markets more accessible and business profitable for 'Sepik Meris'

Wewak, Papua New Gunea - “In the past, we would walk down this road just after midnight. We would carry our babies close to our chests, our loads of market goods on our shoulders and a fire torch in our hand to light our way as we traversed the muddy road for many hours,” says Jemmi Kivori, a mother of 7 who lives in Kesimba Village, located at the end of Munji-Haripmo rural access road in Yanguru-Saussia District of East Sepik.

This path that connects the village to the main road was a challenge for Jemmi and other women and girls in the community who relied on income from sales of foodstuff at the main market to support their families. 

Jemmi vividly recalls the challenging journey to Wewak town. They would walk through a bush track for about 6 km, taking several breaks along the way. Finally, they would arrive at the main junction around 3 am. “At the junction, we would have a brief moment to change out of our muddy clothes before catching a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) around 3.30 am to Wewak town” . Wewak is the main marketplace and Capital of the East Sepik Province. 

This was only half the burden experienced by Jemmi and other mothers from Kesimba Village. “On our way back after selling our produce, we would carry store provisions on our heads and walk the same ordeal back home, arriving around 8 or 9 at night.” On top of all these challenges, these same mothers would still have to prepare dinner for the families before they go to bed.  The next morning, they would get up bright and early to prepare the kids for school, while hoping for a better future for the next generation.  

“It was really a challenge to walk this road with our loads; sometimes, we arrived in the village between 10 pm or even at midnight,” explained Jemmi.  

Since 2021, with generous funding from the European Union, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as part of an FAO-led United Nations joint programme, started the rehabilitation and improvement of 15 critical access roads situated in the East and West Sepik provinces. The state of rural roads in the two Sepiks is very poor rendering travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, particularly during times of heavy rainfall. This leads to disruptions in the movement of people, goods and agricultural products and limits access to livelihood opportunities as well as health and education services. 

After 10 months of rehabilitation works, the 6.5 KM Munji-Haripmo Road is now in a better shape with corrected horizontal and vertical geometry, filled embankment, strengthened sub grade, new gravel surface treatment, fixed cross and side drainage structures, and constructed new retaining structures and causeways. These interventions have made it possible for motor vehicles to use the road, resulting in reduced travel time, lower operation costs, and decreased transport and travel expenses for over 2,200 rural residents living in the area. 

“With this road, we now travel using PMV that pick us up from our homes around 5 am in Kesimba village” , says Jemmi.” It is now very easy for us to access markets, to sell our cocoa and vanilla, as well as fresh produces like banana to support our wellbeing, and access other services,” explains Jemmi. 

Improved rural roads lead to better access to markets and agri-business opportunities, as well as social services, such as education and health care. This enables farmers to achieve economic empowerment and better livelihoods for their communities as a whole. 

Women of all ages benefit from shorter commutes to markets, hospitals, and schools, which also contributes to their economic empowerment and agency. It goes without saying that these improved rural roads play a crucial role in catering to the needs of these communities.

“I express my gratitude to the European Union for funding this beneficial service. It will not only assist us presently but also benefit our grandchildren and future generations in the years to come,” says Jemmi. 

By improving the efficiency of transport infrastructure and ensuring all-weather road connectivity, coupled with value chains development interventions the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, in collaboration with national and local stakeholders, is helping develop sustainable agrifood businesses in Papua New Guinea. 

A modified version of this story is published on the EU Day's supplement of the National newspaper.