State praises owners of lodge

THE Government says a new lodge in New Ireland is a good example of how the Government’s small-to-medium enterprise policy can instil the business culture in the people.
Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru attended the opening of the 32-room room extension to the Kavieng Niu Lodge last Friday.
The lodge is  owned by John and Gertrude Merebo.
“The main objective is to instil business culture within the SMEs and ensure their long-term sustainability,” Maru said.
“The owners John and Gertrude Merebo have worked extremely hard to be where they are. The tourism and hospitality industry in New Ireland is a sleeping giant. And I’m glad the Merebos have seen the potential to venture into this industry.”
He said the SME sector would be the biggest employer in the country in the next 10 years.
Kavieng MP Ben Micah committed K100,000 from the district improvement programme funds to the lodge for hospitality training purposes involving young people.
Merebo said the urge to expand was because tourism was a thriving industry.  “Having studied the rising need of accommodation for the public and private sector on business trips convinced me that hospitality and tourism were the way forward.”