East Sepik signs deal for multi-million kina abbatoir

Business

THE Wariman Abattoir and cattle ranch in Wewak, East Sepik, is set to be a multi-million kina business, thanks to the Government, says Livestock Development Corporation managing director Terry Koim.
A memorandum of understanding was signed last week with East Sepik administrator Dr Clement Malau on behalf of the provincial administration in Wewak.
It allows for the rehabilitation of the abattoir and its assets.
The corporation closed its operations in the early 1990s.
Under phase one, the project would require the corporation, provincial administration and Wewak authority to take back the property from illegal settlers and rehabilitate it.
Under phase two, the parties would invite investors to partner to set up a company to operate the abattoir on commercial terms.
“With an estimated cost of K10 million to deliver a facility at Wariman to process meat for local consumption and for export to the Southeast Asian market, the Government has already allocated K1 million from the agriculture intervention funds towards the project,” Koim said.
“The management has already concluded negotiations with local landowners to discuss spin-off benefits such as employment and contract labour.
“The abattoir is expected to bring in an estimated annual turnover of K30million to K50 million.”
Koim said there was ongoing dialogue with cattle producers to have their cattle slaughtered at the abattoir.