Matane: Remove duties

 PNG Customs has been urged to exempt duty on school materials, especially books, in line with the national government’s free education policy.

Former Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane was commenting on the excessive fees charged to ship books to various locations in the country.

He said the government policy on free education had been applauded by the bulk of the population because it exempted parents from paying fees.

“To be in line with this policy, Customs must not charge excessive fees and be lenient when dealing with school materials.

“If books are here to help children’s learning, then there is no reason to charge the 10% fees.”

He urged PNG Customs to work with MPs in exempting tax on school materials.

Sir Paulias said more than 100 people had written books and at times found it difficult to have their books shipped to their locations.