Momis warns Customs offenders

THE President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville John Momis has warned people who breached Customs and immigration laws that they will face the full force of the law when they are caught.
Momis was commenting on a Malaysian-registered vessel that was intercepted by the PNG Defence Force patrol boat in the Solomon Sea carrying oil siphoned off fuel tanks at Loloho, central Bougainville.
He said in the past two years, foreign vessels, including tankers, have been coming to Loloho under arrangements with certain individuals and groups in central Bougainville to remove scrap metals and now oil from Panguna, Arawa and Loloho.
“Although these maybe genuine business arrangements, the fact these items are exported without proper customs and immigration checks and clearance is a concern to the new government,” Momis said in a statement.
“Not only are these bought at a much lower price and later sold for higher prices, but the government is losing out on much needed tax which Customs officers have not been allowed to collect after being prevented from doing their duties by threats from those holding onto to guns.
“Bougainville welcomes credible investors but we will not allow ‘cowboy’ investors who think they can use the situation in Bougainville to make a quick buck and fly away.
Momis also warned Bougainvilleans to be cautious of such foreign business people and to let the government know if they are uncertain about the credibility of these foreigners.
Momis said there was a process for people who wish to do business in Bougainville and this process applies to everyone and must be followed.