PM promises relief for companies hit by Jan 10 riots

The National Business

PRIME Minister James Marape says the National Executive Council will finalise relief assistance to businesses affected by the Jan 10 civil unrest in Port Moresby.
He told members of the private sector during a Prime Ministers back-to-business breakfast in Port Moresby yesterday that the country would learn from the Jan 10 events.
“I want to apologise for this downside. PNG always rebound on some of the dark times. We will announce the support package to businesses,” he said. “As the Government, we are looking into that and lessons to learn when police are not at work.”
He viewed police facility in Australia during his visit there last week and would see how PNG could improve its policing.
He said the Government was committed to improving law and order and building infrastructure for growth.
“Law and order and enabling infrastructure and public policy and laws, government is mindful of the laws and policies to stimulate growth.”
According to the letter by peak business bodies to the Government for relief support, the immediate needs of the business community is to recoup losses (both stock and capital infrastructure) and rebuild to be operational again in the shortest but most practical time possible.
This will require the following:

  • AN immediate capital injection of K358 million, which includes K8.7 million of wage support for over 2022 employees;
  • IMMEDIATE access to foreign exchange made available by the Bank of PNG and specifically earmarked for businesses affected by the illegal events of January 10;
  • A WAIVER or at the least serious expediting by all governments and municipal authorities such as the NCDC for all building and related regulations to facilitate rebuilding and refurbishment of buildings affected by the illegal events that happened on Jan 10.