Change tax collection system in Morobe

THE Morobe government and administration should seek advise and assistance from the Internal Revenue Commission to carry out the de-grouping exercises throughout the province.
Morobe’s capital, Lae, can match the National Capital District in raising internal tax revenues through goods and service tax.
The province can gain economic and financial autonomy .
There are some businesses operating in Morobe who don’t pay business and goods and services taxes.
Tax from such businesses could be used to help maintain the existing deteriorated infrastructure and promote economic and financial autonomy in Morobe.
Morobe needs strong political and administrative leadership with proper development priorities, dreams and plans in order to lead and guide us to gaining economic and financial autonomy.
Over the last 46 years, Morobe politicians have been used as political briefcase carriers and king makers by other political parties and their leaders.
This should stop.
Morobe should educate our people to vote God-fearing quality leaders who can put Morobe people’s interests first.
They should vote leaders who can lead with integrity.
The province should be free of corruption if we are serious about taking back Morobe and the country.
The next Morobe governor should be prepared to clearly lay out the Morobe government’s development strategies and plans and work with all Morobe MPs to identify our development policies, plans and agendas.
For example, the Morobe government business arm Morobe Resources Holdings Ltd should allow the nine district development authorities and the 33 local level governments in the province to buy shares in the provincial government’s business arm.
These districts and local level governments can then benefit from the profits.
Each district development authority should appoint nine directors with an independent chairman and a deputy on the board of Morobe Resource Holdings Ltd to run and manage their interests.
Morobe should consider this if we are serious about developing the province.

Samson C Napo,
Former Bulolo MP