PM searches Down Under for fuel

By PETER ESILA
PRIME Minister James Marape says the Government is looking at an alternative fuel supplier from Australia to address the country’s ongoing fuel crisis.
“Alternate fuel supply has been discussed including nearby Australia which has been informed if we need emergency fuel supply,” he said.
Marape said Australia had indicated that they could provide an emergency supply.
“(But) the only biggest obstacle is the storage facility of fuel especially jet fuel. We are looking at that,” Marape said.
Puma Energy last week started reducing its operations and fuel supply proportionate to the capacity of its remaining banking channels.
It came after discussions with the Bank of Papua New Guinea to find a long-term and sustainable banking solution.
Marape said: “We can’t strictly blame Puma. They have an issue on consistency of long-term forex supply. We are working with Kina Bank on continuity of holding Puma’s account.
“Central Bank has been discussing how we can maintain supply forex to Puma. But the Government is not short of options to look elsewhere. We are looking at how we should use facilities in the country.”
Meanwhile, businessman Sir Mahesh Patel said the fuel crisis, especially the lack of aviation fuel, was a disaster for the economy.
“We have had so many disruptions, and this is just adding to our headaches of doing business,” he said.
“Over the last 12 months or so, it has really impacted our domestic travel for business, unproductive time waiting for flights etc,” he said.