Maprik business to get power soon

SMALL business enterprises in rural Maprik district, East Sepik province, expect to see a boost in their activities once the area’s power supply has been installed.
The power project is being pushed by local MP Gabriel Kapris and Industrial Centres Development Corp (ICDC).
Mr Kapris is also the minister for commerce and industry.
Through his joint district budget priority committee, Mr Kapris allocated K2 million for Maprik business growth centre (BGC) at its Balif project site.
Last Friday, ICDC presented a cheque for K3.8 million to PNG Power Ltd to energise the project site, an exercise that would cost K5.8 million.
The presentation also marked the beginning of ICDC’s business growth centre’s roll out programme in the country.
This electrification project would also cover Kubalia, Yangoru and areas along the Sepik Highway
ICDC managing director Igitava Yovigo said his board had approved a total allocation of K6 million in this year’s budget for three BGC pilot projects in Minj, Western Highlands, Tol in Pomio, East New Britain, and Balif.
Mr Yovigo said a total K18 million has been earmarked for BGCs throughout the country to be carried out over the next five years.
He said BGC was an essentially integrated service facility purposely built to support and accommodate privately-owned and operated small and medium enterprises.
The centre would nurture small business during their growth period by providing entrepreneurs specialist business counselling and support.
Mr Yovigo explained after completion, the BGC would have a number of structures like standard factory building, nursery unit building, and an administration complex with all utility services connected like power, water, sewerage, telephone, fax and access road.
The centre would house small and medium enterprises such as sole proprietors, partnership companies, co-operative groups and others.
ICDC would also roll out its BGCs in other eight centres once feasibility studies have been completed.