NDB branch needed in Vanimo

 WEST Sepik acting Governor Paul Negai has called on National Development Bank (NDB) to set up a branch in Vanimo.

He made the call at the the NDB women in business road show.

Negai said West Sepik was strategically located as it shared border with Indonesia and the people had the opportunity to cross over and see what was happening on the other side.

However, he said people could not do much for themselves because they lacked financial backing.

“The people of Sandaun have been neglected for far too long and it is time they were given an opportunity to venture into business activities through the bank.” Negai said.

He said the provincial government had allotted funds to improve five major roads in the province to promote economic activity and growth.

Negai said this would complement the government’s small-to-medium enterprise (SME) advocacy that would get more push if an NDB branch was set up in Vanimo.

“NDB is for the little people and so it must also see the need of the people of Sandaun,” he stressed.

Negai said at present, those intending to take up loans from NDB were travelling to Wewak and Madang just to fill applications.

“Since it is a costly exercise, most follow-ups are not done and worse still, those who cannot afford just did not bother anymore”.

Negai had pledged the full support of West Sepik  provincial government, saying they would provide a land for NDB’s proposed branch.

However, in the interim, an office space could be allocated for a bank officer to handle loan applications.

Negai promised to write to the NDB management for the establishment of the branch.