Bossmen Ed, James enjoying PNG on their motorbikes

By PETER ESILA
THE bossmen of two big companies love to travel around on their motorbikes to see more of the land and its people.
Ed Weggemans is the general manager of SP Brewery, and James Rice is the chief executive officer of Paradise Foods Limited.
Ed has been in the country for four months. He is a third generation motorbike rider. His grandfather owned a motorcycle repair shop in the Netherlands. His father achieved fame as a motorcycle race competitor in North Holland decades ago. He still uses the original 1957 matte black American-made Harley-Davidson his father had bought.
James owns a German-made red and silver BMW motorbike which he uses on his long “adventure” rides into the countryside outside Port Moresby.
“Both Ed and I are members of the local motorcycle club and believe that the best part of our workday is our ride to and from work.
“There’s no traffic. I moved here from Shanghai where there are 25 million people in the city. Ed moved here from Suriname.”

“ Both Ed and I are members of the local motorcycle club and believe that the best part of our workday is our motorbike ride to and from work.”

James loves the country and its people. He plans to help as many as possible get jobs. One can often see him touring the factory talking to employees.
“This country needs jobs. It is the biggest change that can positively impact the people of PNG.
My first job as CEO is to deliver profit to the shareholders, but my passion as a guest in PNG is to create jobs for people here. I tell my employees I want to make great jobs for great people.
“The only way I can do that is lead this company to grow and expand.
“The number of new jobs created will be my measurement.
“Sales have been growing since I arrived here. We have doubled our Queen Emma Chocolate sales and that has allowed us to add an extra shift in our chocolate factory – 18 new jobs.
In total, there are 65 added jobs in our companies since I became CEO on June 1, 2019. Every person with a job supports a family. That has a real impact on people in PNG.”
But when out of the office, one can expect to see him riding his motorbike on dirt tracks or up and down the highway. He regularly stops to chat with locals.
“I love living here and I do not travel home during my vacation. I spend the time in PNG. On my last vacation, I went to Morobe by motorcycle. I love attending the provincial cultural shows like the Kenu and Kundu festival.”
He terms it unfair how the country is portrayed overseas.
“I am disappointed that news reflects on PNG so poorly. In reality, it is a beautiful country with beautiful people.
“When I ride through the villages in the countryside, I only encounter warm and friendly people. And everyone in PNG smiles and waves. I tell foreigners that there are no strangers in PNG if you smile.”
He plans to see more of the land.
“Two months ago, I rode my motorcycle from Lae to Bulolo, and then to Aseki to see the smoked corpses, then to Wau. I took a lot of pictures. The scenery and people were incredible.
“Next weekend, I will ride my motorcycle from Madang to Mt. Wilhelm (Chimbu), then to Goroka. During this trip, some of the rivers will have to be crossed by canoe.
“We will put our motorcycles on the canoes and row across.”
He expects to be joined by members of a local motorcycle club.
“There are 15 local guys in Chimbu who will ride with me on Sunday February 2 when I get there. I am very excited.”