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.
Survey results are detailed below. | INCOME | - This survey has shown a clear connection between a village’s proximity to a new road or bridge and its increased income (as high as 25 percent in some cases).
- There has been a positive impact to villager's agricultural activities and their ability to get to markets.
- Increased income and access to markets has supported greater food security for villagers.
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| EDUCATION | - The survey has shown that children are more likely to continue in school and go to primary school if there is a nearby road.
- With improved infrastructure, the time it takes to get to school is reduced allowing more time for children to complete homework and chores.
- Survey results show a reduction in school drop-out rates, and higher academic achievements by students.
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| HEALTH | - The survey indicates that travel time to reach health services has decreased meaning better and more timely access to treatment.
- Enhanced health services and treatment is also supported by mobile health clinics.
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The greater access to passable roads (an increase of approximately 13 percent overall) has meant increased access especially for women.  | 
| Better access increases the social development of the people of Papua New Guinea. |
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“Women are going to the market more and generating more income in over 50 percent of the sampled provinces with villages having road or bridge improvements.” This contributes to a significant reduction in the family unit’s poverty. Overall, survey results indicate a “clear link” between the presence of roads and bridges and community economic enhancement. Poverty reduction, measured in terms of access to markets and alternative forms of transportation, market diversification, more girls attending school, etc., is a result of infrastructure creation or improvement. Poverty reduction is further supported through road maintenance contracts with villagers, which provide income to the poor. Provincial authorities have been cooperating with this study and are interested in the findings. Authorities are currently investigating other opportunities to fund road works in an effort to increase the economic activities of villages and the lives of their villagers. Next Steps Additional data is being collected and reviewed to evaluate socio-economic changes as a result of the entire road maintenance program, over three years. The third wave of results should answer some of the data gaps and anomalies expected in such a large action-orientated research project. In addition, vulnerable families in the villages will have a focus group meeting and these qualitative results will be documented to examine additional impacts to the more vulnerable populations. A national workshop on the socio-economic impact survey is currently being planned, following which will be short seminars presenting findings to key stakeholders. Lessons learned from the study will be valuable to the Department of Works and the World Bank. |
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