MP plans incentives

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday November 8th, 2013

 THE Tari-Pori electorate, in Hela, is known for the multi-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project  but only 5 per cent of the population benefit from the project, a local MP says.

Finance Minister and Tari-Pori MP James Marape said he planned to involve his people in sustainable development projects.

Marape was speaking at the presentation of certificates to participants from his electorate who went through a week-long basic business management programme.

“I will use the royalties and my district services improvement programme funds to equally support my people to be successful,” he said.

Marape said he saw the need to equip his people with basic business skills so they could take part in business activities in the resource-rich province. 

“I want my people to go into poultry, piggery, coffee, honey, livestock and vegetable farming,” he said.

“All of my electorate must actively participate in the economic boom being experienced in the province.

“I don’t want my people to be lazy. I am trying my best to help you. You must make use of the incentives in place now.

“We do not have the basic business skills that is why I felt it was important to partner with the University of Papua New Guinea the knowledge on how to become successful entrepreneurs.”

Course facilitator and UPNG School of Business Administration senior lecturer, Herman Mosi said small and medium enterprises required people with basic business knowledge and he commended Marape for partnering with UPNG to deliver the basic training.

“A business plan and financial records must be professionally and independently done regularly for a business to survive,” Mosi said.

He said the success and failure of the programme depended on the participants and urged them to believe in themselves because they had financial backing from their MP.