Government not overseeing branch set-ups, says Treasurer

GOVERNMENT has no oversight on Bank South Pacific or any other bank to establish new branches in districts or provinces, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says.
Ling-Stuckey, in response to Nawaeb MP Kennedy Wenge’s question in Parliament yesterday, said the Government would, however, raise the concerns to the relevant financial institutions.
Wenge raised the question in the previous session of Parliament but said it was important that he ask again because of concerns of overcrowding in banks and no social distancing now that the coronavirus pandemic was a global health concern.
Ling-Stuckey said: “When he previously asked, the Government had no oversight over decisions made by BSP or any of the commercial bank to establish any one of their branch outlets.
“We would be happy to receive any formal request from the member and then we can sit down and request with any of the commercial banks to see whether they can establish a branch in his remote electorate.”
Meanwhile Wenge commended the Government for their three ministers’ visit to Morobe recently.
He acknowledged the Minister for Communication and Information Timothy Masiu for re-opening the radio station in Morobe.
Wenge also said Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture Emil Tammur had visited the province and opened the tourism office in Lae.
He thanked National Planning and Monitoring Minister Sam Basil who opened a new district radio station in Bulolo.