Basil pushes for coal

DEPUTY Prime Minister Sam Basil is adamant that coal be included as part of the country’s energy options.
Basil revealed his vision for coal complementing hydro, gas, diesel, biomass and other energy forms within the Marape-Basil Government, during a meeting with the Lae chamber of commerce and industry in Lae last week.
He identified the high cost of doing business as a constraint to more investment which impacted projects in the country.
Basil, who is Commerce and Industry Minister and Bulolo MP, said the challenge needed to be addressed, particularly the cost burden incurred by the high cost of electricity, while acknowledging existing and upcoming investments with the chamber.
“At this stage, cheap, affordable power for manufacturing, downstream processing, increasing employment and ultimately industrialisation is crucial,” he said.