Minister: Investigate cannery

 By GYNNIE KERO

THE Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) needs to investigate why a Wewak based tuna loiner has not made profits since its inception in 2002, Trade Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru says.

He questioned how the South Sea Tuna Corporation could still be operating for over 10 years if it was a loss making operation.

“No company can exist without making loss. How can you invest in expanding operation and employing more staff without making money?

“Something is not right, IRC needs to investigate its (SSTC) books,” Maru said.

Earlier, South Seas Tuna Corporation (SSTC) said it planned to increase its production to 160 tons per day with plans to achieve profitability this year.

President Mike McCulley told The National that the company in the year would hire an additional 1000 employees.

McCulley said unloading time was a challenge for SSTC, thus having a negative impact on the company’s results.

Separately, Maru who was a local MP from East Sepik has condemned talks of an Asian company’s investment in a supermarket in Wewak.

The unoccupied area between the Wewak Police Station and the market used as a public car parking area was subleased by the Wewak Town Commission to an Asian company to build the modern supermarket.

“Whose interest is the Wewak Town Mayor serving, Asian, district or the province? I condemn that action of the town mayor and council.”