Farmers call for lower charges

THE Government should intervene and address the increasing levy, fees, charges and new port increases, says the Farmers and Settlers Association.
Association president Wilson Thompson said since last year, the cost of importing and exporting goods at the wharves managed by International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) had increased exponentially.
“Remember, all ships travel through Port Moresby and Lae wharves and it appears the State has been blinded by its own ability to see clearly,” he said.
“Maybe ICTSI is a business and is trying to survive too, but the State is so silent watching its farmers and growers, primary producers, rural business, families and itself being bruised and battered.
“The departments of Transport, Treasury and Justice and Attorney- General, and Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) need to unmask the ICTSI monopoly of PNG’s biggest international ports (Lae and Pom) that has well explained and very clear net negative consequences for PNG.”
Thompson said the State, through the Transport Department, had to take control of any developments of facilities and that ICTSI could not change or develop these state infrastructure and then institute charges. He said local growers had to deal with rising costs of production and exporting their produce now cost more while they were also paying increased prices for imports.
“The ICTSI had issued public notice for price charges to be effective on Jan 1,” he said.
“It is our appeal to Government to stop this madness where a single PNG citizen primary produced is hit three times by the decision at the wharf. Imagine how many other times that same person is hit with standing in every line from Air Niugini or Motor Vehicles Insurance Ltd or police clearance or passport application and right to the banks.
“If the Government is not serious about reviewing the international wharf agreement, we would ask all our members to increases fees to the consumers effective as of Jan 2,” Thompson added.