HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY IN TROUBLE
OSEAH PHILEMON The city of Lae with a population of over 200,000 people is Papua New Guinea’s second city and its industrial hub. It is the centre of the manufacturing industry that keeps the Papua New Guinea economy rolling and moving the nation forward. Its central location makes it ideal for business and commerce as it connects with the Highlands, Islands and Momase regions of PNG. Unlike the capital city of Port Moresby which has no road connection anywhere, Lae is connected by road to the Highlands and Madang, making transportation vital to the economy. The Ramu Agribusiness which produces PNG’s sugar and premier beef is connected by road to Lae and is serviced from Lae even though it is physically located in the Madang Province. It is also home to the busiest sea port in the country that serves the entire Highlands, the Momase and Islands regions. From Lae, goods manufactured in the city are transported into the Highlands region through the Highlands Highway for a region that is