Businesses in Maprik suffer after BSP closes doors

Momase, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 01st December 2011

By PISAI GUMAR
THE business community and public servants in Central Sepik are concerned about the closure of the Bank South Pacific branch in Maprik station.
Local businessman Peter Simon, a cocoa exporter who  operates from opposite the bank, said it was sad to witness the removal of the ATM machine from Maprik.
“The closure of BSP leaves more than 50,000 Central Sepik areas including Wosera-Gawi, Ambunti-Dreikikir, Nuku, Aitape-Lumi, Angoram and Maprik in chaos without any alternative but to risk our lives and travel 110km to Wewak town for banking services,” Simon said.
The bank used to operate as PNGBC until it was merged with BSP.
It was affordable and efficient for cocoa and vanilla producers, trade store owners and public servants.
They do their banking services like deposits, withdrawals, loans and new accounts.
“We fear the loss of lives and properties along the highway during the festive period travelling to Wewak to do businesses. We ask the management and MP Gabriel Kapris to look for alternatives to help us,” Simon said.
According to a statement released by BSP, the bank was closed because the building in which the bank operated was condemned
as unsafe by the authorities including the Maprik local level government council, the East Sepik provincial government and PNG Power Ltd.