Improved infrastructure brings economic and social growth in Papua New Guinea

2008-05-11

January 12, 2008 - In Papua New Guinea, walking is the primary means of transportation.  The willingness to make a trip and its duration, to market or to school, for example, depends largely on the quality of the road to get there.  It is therefore no surprise that improving the quality of roads would enhance social and economic conditions of villagers.  What is surprising is how these conditions are enhanced and by how much.

A recent socio-economic impact study associated with a road maintenance and rehabilitation program in Papua New Guinea found a link between transport projects and poverty reduction. It found that roads and bridges bring economic growth to villages and, more than that, direct positive impacts to education and health.

In March 2007, villages in six provinces of Papua New Guinea associated with this road maintenance and rehabilitation project were surveyed to determine how the project would impact villager’s lives.  Results of the study brought to light the “genuine importance of transport, especially roads and bridges, in improving the quality of lives of remote disadvantaged communities.”

Results

Preliminary findings based on two years of data collection indicate that improved roads and bridges have had significant results, including:

• Increased income for sample villages.
• Reduced travel time to get to school for sample villages.
• Reduced travel time to get to the nearest health clinic.

For full survey results and the full article written by the World Bank please click here. .