Project review needed: Minister

A PROPOSED K7 billion rice project needs to be reviewed before it begins in the Kairuku in Central, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Benny Allen says.
“The Naime rice project is good for our people in terms of employment and supporting local rice farmers,” he said. “We encourage our people to grow rice. It is a good submission. But the issues is that the investor is asking for 80 per cent quota and 10-year tax exemption.
“In other words, they are taking away the 80 per cent of the market that Trukai rice has in the industry.
“Trukai has worked in the country for 47 years to where they are now. So when you look at it, it is unfair for them as an industrial player.”
“I think the investor is asking for too much.”
Allen said after the 2017 national election that it was a good project.
“But let’s address their demand for tax exemption and quota. I did ask them to come and they sent their representative,” he said.
“But then the representative can’t make a decision. So it is still pending.
“We have not closes the door and said no.”
Allen was responding to statements by Abau MP Sir Puka Temu said that he was not happy with the Government for not supporting the K7 billion investment in the rice project in Central.