Marape vows to reopen bank

 FINANCE Minister James Marape has reassured the people of Gulf that he would find money to honour Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s commitment to reopen the Bank South Pacific (BSP) branch in Kerema town. 

Marape said in response to a question from Gulf Governor Havila Kavo who wanted to know if and when the minister would release funds for the reopening of the BSP branch.

Kavo told Parliament his people had been denied banking services after criminals robbed the bank and forced it to close several years ago.

O’Neill made a commitment during a recent visit to the province that the government would provide counterpart funding for the reopening of the bank.

Kavo said the provincial government had allocated K1 million for the reopening but was waiting for the national government’s portion.

Marape said he would have to find money elsewhere because the prime minister’s commitment was not factored in the national budget.