NOW that one monopoly in this country is being successfully challenged, maybe it’s time to introduce a few more.
The monopolies in PNG are not all owned by the government. Several of them are privately owned, one of which is British American Tobacco.
This company is currently holding smokers to ransom. It took over Wills and Rothmans in order to establish its monopoly. Since then, it has drastically reduced the choice and raised prices at will.
For example, at this time last year, I could buy Filter Spear from my usual supplier for K6.30 per box. Earlier this year, the price shot up to K10.60. Now it is K11.60. In other words, the price has nearly doubled in a year. At the same time, the price of Spear Half has gone up by about 40%.
It would not have got away with this if there is competition.

Braid Anderson
Lae