Maru wants study done on lime mine

By MOUA OMOA
MINISTER for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru is calling for a feasibility study into a possible multibillion kina lime stock mine in Chimbu.
Speaking at a ceremony in Kundiawa last week, Maru urged all Chimbu elected leaders to unite and work together in a project that would boost their economy and the country.
Maru highlighted this amid concerns that the province was not creating economic opportunities for its people with a stagnant economy of K1.5 million in internal revenue for more than 20 years.
“We can’t continue to give excuses that the mountainous terrain of Chimbu has made it impossible for any major economic growth opportunities,” he said.
“God has blessed Chimbu with enormous limestone deposits, which could easily be developed into a major mining operation that could be developed into a multibillion lime stock mine that will create hundreds of jobs, new industries and significant wealth for Chimbu, the landowners and PNG.”
He assured the national government, through his ministry and other stakeholder ministries, stood ready to support and partner the Simbu provincial government and its people to undertake critical investments to drive key economic impact projects.
Maru called on the Simbu provincial government through its provincial executive council to meet and approve key economic impact project areas that he could submit to the national government for support.
He said the provincial government should immediately seek national government funding support to immediately engage a reputable international firm to undertake and complete a detailed feasibility study into the viability of the Chimbu limestone mine project.
Other key areas were:
l    Relocation of the Chimbu airport from Kundiawa to Migendi in Kerowagi district, so the land can be used as a special economic zone for the province; and
l    Recognise the road to Karimui as a key economic project and allocate counterpart funding to complete the road as soon as possible with the support from the national government.