Landowners partner with shipping company

LANDOWNERS of Rabaul town have entered into a partnership with a shipping company to provide pilot services in Simpson Harbour.
Since the registration of its Incorporated Land Group recently, the ToWalingan ToBobe Ratagul, landowners of Rabaul town, decided to involve locals in the upkeep of the harbour.
Businessman Eremas Wartoto is a member of one of the seven sub-clans under the ILG company.
He has been offering his business advice to the ILG in the current partnership between the ILG Company and the Bismarck Pilot Services.
Last Friday saw the first pilot boat bringing in a foreign vessel into the harbour.
The service is expected to provide employment for locals in the area.
ILG chairman Andrew August said the commencement of the project was the result of a petition presented to the ENB provincial government and PNG Ports in July last year for more participation of locals in the use of the harbour.
He said Simpson Harbour had been declared by PNG Ports as a State-owned entity. But under the indigenous land rights, it was owned by the ILG representing landowners.
August said the ILG has complied with a stevedoring licence and looked forward to strengthening this partnership.