Trading boosts income

National

West Sepik Governor Amkat Mai says the country can double income from duties due to increased trading activities across his province and Indonesian border.
Mai said Papua New Guinea generated more than K45 million from duties due to increased movement of cargo through Indonesia.
He said a report from PNG Customs indicated that the country could get up to K81 million in duties from trading along the West Sepik-Indonesian border.
Mai said there was increased activities at the border and West Sepik needed to beef up manpower for security purposes.
“So with that volume of trade coming in, we need good security at the border post.
“There are only six policemen at the Wutung border post.
“These officers don’t have a police vehicle for mobility but we are lucky because our soldiers are there and are working with  the six policemen at the border.
“The other problem is power, right now there are only two generators, one at Wutung station and the other at the border (Batas).
“But fuel is expensive and Border Development Authority doesn’t have enough funds to pay for the fuel to power up the generators.
“So I have met with PNG Power Ltd and we have now organised for transmission lines from Vanimo to Wutung at a cost of about K5 million,” Mai said.
“The transmission lines from Vanimo town to Batas will cost K5 million.
“The government will put in K3.5 million and PNG Power Ltd is giving K2 million for this, we are signing the agreement on Thursday.