Govt worst tenant, official says

Business

By PETER ESILA
THE Government is one of the worst tenants in the country, according to Real Estate Industry Association vice-president Mike Quinn.
On top of that, he said, it did not have the cash reserves to provide assistance to landlords who could then assist their tenants.
Quinn, also the Professionals PNG Real Estate managing director, said this was why the banks and the landlords were shouldering the burden on the impacts of the Covid-19.
“The Government is actually one of the worst tenants in PNG with significant arrears in rent due to landlords for the Government offices in Port Moresby and Lae,” he told The National.
“However, the Government can help by waiving most of the onerous fees charged for land rent, land tax, stamp duty, trading licence and permits.”
Quinn said if this was allowed until the end of the year, it would “help us through the current pandemic as well as provide a stimulus to get things back on track as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 crisis”.
“Several ministers have already being approached to assist in this regard and we hope that they can see their way clear to be a part of the solution going forward rather than adding to the problem,” he said.
Quinn said these were tough economic times and the Government should be realistic.
“We will come out of this severely wounded economically, and it is about time the Government starts being co-operative with the resource investors to further develop PNG rather than chasing them away,” he said.
“The resource projects are going to be essential to make us strong again.
“The Government has been badly advised in this area for some time now and needs to be proactive about getting these projects up and going as soon as possible.”

One thought on “Govt worst tenant, official says

  • This is not new, they are bad in paying their water bills, electricity, nasfund and the list goes on.
    It is ironic when the government demands bills and taxes to be played from business and businesses pay and most struggle to pay but the government relaxes and accumulated staggering bills making these businesses even go broke.
    Pull up your socks it it benefits both parties.

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