Govt helping lift Morobe: Saonu

Business

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
MOROBE has seen a number of major economic-driven projects through the support of the Government, says Governor Ginson Saonu.
They include the Wagang fisheries, Ramu Two hydro, Wafi-Golpu mine, Lae Tidal Basin, Milfordhaven road development, Mongi hydro, Lae-Nadzab four-lane highway, Nadzab airport redevelopment, Nadzab airport satellite township and the proposed Yalu Dairy Farm project.
However, Saonu said that the provincial government was determined to create its own internal revenue.
“One way is for the national government to share with Morobe the revenues collected in the province,” he said.
He said this involved the sharing of revenues earned from national impact economic projects and through State-owned enterprises.
He said one example was the sharing of revenue with the PNG Ports Corporation “as it makes money from Lae Ports”.
“(The provincial) government is prepared to invest in other commercial investments to generate internal revenue for the province,” he said.
“Wafi-Golpu was one of the first top five mines in the world and this mine when developed will contribute immensely to both the province and the national economy.
“I request that the revenue from the mine be used to build a new city at Nadzab so that we keep the money in our economy.”
Saonu said the regional SME incubation centre to be established in Nawaeb district would be another huge and potential economic opportunity for the people of Morobe and the Momase region.