Sepik Plains agro project prioritised in 100-day plan

National

THE K100 million Sepik Plains Special Economic Zone will be a priority in the Government’s 100-day economic recovery plan.
“We will work with National Planning Minister Richard Maru to develop that agro industrial project within 100 days,” Agriculture and Livestock Minister Benny Allan said.
“There will also be a ban on the importation of uncooked poultry products.
“There will also be a review of the quota mechanism sought by the Central Commercial Rice Farming project by the state solicitor.”
The Sepik agro industrial project was launched by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in Yangoru last June.
It will be on a 500-hectare land acquired by the State in the 1970s.
Several projects are planned there, including the Sepik Chicken Grain and Cocoa Innovation project, and the Yangoru water and power supply.
Allan said the Central rice project developer had set a quota which the State felt should be reviewed.
“The prime minister had given direction to my predecessor (Tommy Tomscoll) to look at the quota and report back to the secretary and to Cabinet,” he said.
“We also want those rice suppliers already in the country to reduce the quota.
“They must plant rice and increase production.
“They must reduce imports.”