No registrar delays cooperatives’ plans

 MORE than 66,800 members of cooperative societies in the Mamose region have been affected by the delay in the signing of their certificates.

Chairman for Madang Development Corporation Bunag Kiup said the newly-formed societies who wanted to conduct businesses could not open bank accounts because they could not produce certificates required by the banks.

He said this was because there was no registrar to sign certificates.

Kiup said the last registrar was Joseph Inginmba who resigned to contest the 2012 general election. 

No one has been appointed to replace him.

“Small people in the villages could not open bank accounts 

and could not do businesses as they require certificates,” Kiup said.

“And there’s no registrar to sign certificates. 

“I urge the prime minister to instruct the minister for trade, commerce and industry to appoint a registrar immediately to help the people.”

Acting registrar Bul Dulau said he was not authorised to sign certificates.

However, Dulau said many people had benefited under the operation of the societies. 

He said there were 312 cooperative societies in Morobe, 157 in West Sepik, 252 in Madang and 765 in East Sepik. 

They involved more than 66,000 people.

Chairman for Musunat Cooperative Society Frankie Duadak said his group was the largest in Madang with more than 2,000 members. 

They are also waiting for their formal society certificate.

“The delay is also a setback for people. 

“They are now lazy to work in plantations or do farming,” Duadak said.

Cooperative groups are now making arrangements with the National Development Bank to accept deposits only.