K10mil committed to build rubber factory in Abau

THE Government has committed K10 million to build a rubber factory at Upulima, Central, which is expected to create jobs in Abau.
Papua New Guinea Rubber Board chairman Josephine Kenni said this when witnessing the surrendering of weapons from the youths of Upulima village yesterday.
Kenni urged villagers in Upulima to engage the youths in the rubber plantation.
“You have rubber plantations that need cleaning. Help us engage the youths to clean your plantations,” she said.
“In doing so you are helping to keep the youths occupied and busy. It will also help to keep them away from involving in criminal activities.”
She said the youths laying down their arms showed that “you want development in your village”.
“My team’s job is to help you by providing you jobs. If we have to change the price of rubber, we have to do that in the office.
“The Government is committed to this course, in seeing that every young person is engaged in some form of business activities which can sustain them.
“The funds are not with me yet or with the rubber industry but you will have your factory,” Kenni said.
She said money made from selling rubber could be used to improve the lives of the locals in terms of school fees, growing other cash crops or building homes.
“All these youths here are looking for jobs. If you have plantations that need cleaning engage them to clean it.
“I will also engage them in cleaning our rubber plantation here as well as the nursery,” she said.
Kenni told the youths that when the factory was built it would benefit their communities, their local level government and district through direct employment, services and allow small businesses to be started.