Naru pledges support for commerce sector

MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru has assured Lae business leaders the commercial sector will be given full attention and assistance by national and provincial governments.
Naru made the undertaking in his first official meeting with the business leaders at the Lae International Hotel yesterday.
He said they were the engine room for commercial and economic growth in Lae and Morobe.
“Successive governments might not have recognised your contributions over the years but I take my hat off today to say thank you and at the same time, recognise your role in the growth of this city, province and country as a whole,” Naru said.
“Lae city and Morobe have been and always will be the nerve centre for economic growth in the
country but successive governments and political leaders have turned a blind eye to the city,” he said.
“I stand here as your servant to assure you that this will change during the time of my leadership as your nambawan wokboi (number one servant),” he said.
He congratulated the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industries, led by president Allan McLay, for being one of the best chambers in the country.
He also called for them to recognise the Indigenous Business Council who are mobilising local entrepreneurs to actively participate in commercial activities,” he
said.
“This government will encourage and support indigenous and LCCI members to invest, expand and create more business in Lae and Morobe, which will increase opportunities for further expansion and new investment for commercial activities,” he said.
In response to a briefing paper LCCI submitted to his office which highlighted pressing issues, Naru assured them that the provincial executive council, which now includes Nellie McLay as the LCCI representative, will address those issues.
“There are no easy solutions but I want to assure the business community of Lae, both international and indigenous that this government will take necessary action in consultation with appropriate government agencies and stakeholders to amicably address those challenges,” Naru said.
Naru also appealed to the business community to utilise the huge pool of untapped energy and talent in the youth population which he likened to a “sitting time bomb” if they had no jobs.
He also said his government will enter into dialogue with traditional landowners to free up their land for development.

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