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27/08/2026

A call for personal change, peace, unity and education took centre stage at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) last Friday as the UPNG Kandep Students Association launched its Peace and Motivational Christmas Awareness Program.

The program, held at the UPNG New Lecture Theatre (NLT), was hosted by the UPNG Kandep Students Association under the leadership of president Lakari Limestone and the 2026 executive team.

The dual program featured the Patron Orientation Night and the official launching of the Peace and Motivational Christmas Awareness Program, aimed at motivating, inspiring and empowering people in Kandep District, particularly those who have had limited access to formal education.

The association president Limestone told PNG SUN that university students had a responsibility to take the knowledge, skills and experiences gained through higher education back to their communities and use them to educate and empower others.

The message of personal transformation was emphasised during the program, with participants reminded that meaningful change in families, communities, districts, provinces and the nation must begin with individuals.

“True change begins with you and me,” he said, drawing on Romans 12:2 and its message about the transformation of the mind.

Mr Limestone said its mission was to promote peace, unity, education, positive mindset transformation and community development among the people of Kandep.

He continued students could serve as a bridge between education and their communities by using their education not only for personal advancement but also to serve and uplift their people.

A key highlight of the Patron Orientation Night was the appointment of Enga Provincial Deputy Administrator and Chairman of the Enga Provincial Health Authority, Kenneth Andrew, as Patron of the UPNG Kandep Students Association.

An academic Mr Kolly Alange was also officially appointed Assistant Patron.

Mr Limestone welcomed the appointments, saying it was privileged to work with leaders who supported youth empowerment and community development.

He said the partnership would focus on unity, peace, education and the future of the people without political interference.

Another significant highlight was the official endorsement and signing of the Peace and Motivational Christmas Awareness Program by UPNG President Epharaim Kliwolo and newly appointed Patron Kenneth Andrew.

He further said their endorsement marked an important milestone and demonstrated support for its commitment to promoting peace, unity, education and positive mindset transformation among the people of Kandep.

He thanked everyone who attended, supported and contributed to the success of the program.

The president also encouraged its members and the wider community to choose peace over conflict, unity over division, education over ignorance and positive transformation over old ways of thinking.

“Be friendly to everyone and an enemy to none,” he said.

It said the change people wanted to see in their families, communities, district, province and nation must first begin with themselves.

“Romans 12:2-Transform your mind, transform your life, and transform your community.”

01/08/2026

01/08/2026

By WANPIS AKO |PNG SUN|

The proposed construction of five bridges across major rivers in East New Britain will complete the long-awaited road connection between East New Britain and West New Britain.

These projects, when funded and implemented, will complement the ongoing 44-kilometre highway upgrade under the Government's Connect PNG Program.

Despite the substantial progress on the road upgrade, Mr Gean said the highway could not be fully connected until bridges were constructed over the Pandi and Toriu rivers, along with three other smaller river crossings.

"The Pandi and Toriu rivers are the two major obstacles. We only need to install these bridges to connect the East New Britain–West New Britain Highway," he told the author.

He said a total of five bridges would be required to complete the missing links and allow uninterrupted travel between the two provinces.

"I will review the bridge designs and estimate their costs based on the Department of Works and Highways specifications. The major bridges are expected to cost roughly between K20 million and K30 million each," Mr Gean said.

He said once the bridges were completed, they would open the highway to regular traffic, significantly improving connectivity, reducing travel times, lowering transport costs, and boosting trade, tourism, agriculture and economic opportunities across both provinces.

The K138 million road project, implemented by the Department of Works and Highways (DOWH) and constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG).

It involves upgrading 44 kilometres of the existing highway to a sealed standard.

Project Site Civil Engineer Presley Gean told PNG SUN that significant progress had already been achieved on the road works.

He said the first 10-kilometre section was completed and commissioned to DOWH on May 8, 2026, by Prime Minister James Marape, accompanied by Works Secretary Gibson Holemba and other dignitaries.

The second 15-kilometre section has also been completed and is expected to be officially commissioned this year, while the remaining 18-kilometre section is currently undergoing sealing and pavement construction and is scheduled for completion next year.

Mr Gean said the project was originally awarded as a three-year contract ending in December 2025 but was later extended by two years to allow the remaining works to be completed.

He described the project as one of the highest-quality road pavement structures constructed along the West New Britain–East New Britain Highway.

He continued that it was expected to perform well beyond its 10-year design life with proper maintenance.