Business community urged to capitalise on investments

By PETER ESILA
THE business community in Vanimo, West Sepik, has been urged to capitalise on the investments in the province, a department official says.
Department of National Planning and Monitoring secretary Koney Samuel said this during the opening of the new K28.8 million Vanimo Airport terminal yesterday which was part of the Government’s ongoing Connect PNG programme.
Connect PNG aims to link all provinces of the country through the improvement and construction of roads and transport infrastructure such as airports and wharves.
“Capitalise on this important infrastructures that we have,” he said of Vanimo’s proximity to the Indonesian border,” Samuel said.
“This part of the country is very strategic for the Government.
“The Government announced the development of international wharfs in Vanimo and Wewak and this will be the gateway to Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
“We have a huge market on the other side and we need to explore that and these are important infrastructures.”
National Airports Corporation managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge said the whole Vanimo Airport upgrade project cost K70.1 million.
“Vanimo Airport is located as our border airport,” he said.
“Therefore we will continue to work with our border control authorities such as PNGDF, PNG Customs and related agencies with the focus on improving our border control efforts, international trade and compliance in the best interest of our people.”
He urged the people to have pride in the new infrastructures and take care of the facilities.