PNG Ports reassures Bougainville of its commitment

PAPUA New Guinea Ports Corporation Ltd (PNG Ports) says it remains committed to the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
PNG Ports made this known during a recent meeting with stakeholders in Buka and Kieta that its presence in Bougainville would remain to enable the flow of goods into the region.
This assurance by PNG Ports comes at a time when the region’s push for self-governance is gaining momentum.
PNG Ports owns and operates the Buka and Kieta ports in Bougainville as part of its community service obligation (CSO).
PNG Ports managing director Fego Kiniafa, while reaffirming the company’s stance, encouraged stakeholders to work together with them and utilise its port as a source of raising revenue for the company and the region.
“PNG Ports is here purposely for the benefit of the people, we do not make money by running the two ports,” Kiniafa said.
“We remain committed to the people of Bougainville.
“No matter what the political future holds, we will still be here until the Autonomous Region of Bougainville government (ABG) decides otherwise.”
ABG Minister for Technical Services Dr Joseph Kim Swamaru was happy with the initiative to visit Bougainville and discuss issues of significance.
Among the issues discussed during the meeting were compliance and revenue leakages, as well as the plans PNG Ports had for the Kieta and Buka Ports as outlined in its 30-year infrastructure master plan. Swamaru said there were areas that PNG Ports and the ABG could collaborate on and thanked PNG Ports for the vital service being provided.
He added that the ABG was looking at developing a project with the maritime sector and called for PNG Ports’ support.
PNG Ports owns 15 ports and operates 13 as CSO ports.
Kiniafa and his team have been visiting all ports to meet with stakeholders and the visit to the Buka and Kieta ports in Bougainville was part of this initiative.