State urged to grant concessions

By GYNNIE KERO
THE Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked the Government to grant concessions for businesses such as reducing the land tax this year, says president Rio Fiocco.
He said businesses were also urging the Government to settle its overdue bills of worth more than K100 million, some dating back to the Apec Leaders’ Summit in 2018.
The chamber’s submission on the concession was forwarded to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey.
“We have also written to the National Capital District Governor (Powes Parkop) to reduce the land tax,” he said.
“I am pleased that he (has agreed to) defer those land tax increases to next year (because of the) difficult times businesses are facing as a result of the crisis.”
Parkop said hopefully the Government would respond favourably to the submission.

“I know all of us have challenges and we need a business response,” he said.
“In Port Moresby it is critical that the Government reaches out to the businesses to stimulate the economy. If there is a tax break or tax delay or cut in tariff, if those decision are made quickly, and if payments are done, we will recover.”
Dr Chakriya Bowman, representing Ling-Stuckey, said the businesses had been consulted and heard.
“This week, we will commence the arrears verification process which should see some of your outstanding bills paid in coming months.”

Marape thanks businesses for help

PRIME Minister James Marape has thanked businesses who have supported the Sapotim Wantok Foundation he founded, saying they have made a big sacrifice in these tough economic times.
Marape, the co-founder and patron of the foundation, received one of three containers of food donated by the Lae Biscuit Company, valued at K200,000.
He thanked the company for the support “in these challenging times” and promised that the assistance would reach those in need.
Marape reiterated his call to the people to revert to agriculture because that is where the money and food security of a family is.
“(For example) the Lae Biscuit Company makes noodles using starch from the cassava grown by the people of Morobe,” he said.
“That is an opportunity right there to make money by growing cassava and selling it to the company.”
Marape said recently when people farmed the land and sold the crops in the market, they could earn more in a fortnight than someone in formal employment.
For example, a banana farmer who sells a bunch for K15 at the market will get K150 from selling 10 bunches in a day. And in seven days, he makes K1,050, K2,100 in a fortnight and K54,750 in a year.
Marape said the K54,750 was tax free and the only expenses incurred was for transporting the banana to the market.

Police grateful to MPs for fuel supplied

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
POLICE in Port Moresby who have increased their mobility during the state of emergency are grateful to the extra fuel supply they are receiving, courtesy of the MPs.
Chief Inspector Christopher Tamari, the city’s acting Metropolitan Superintendent, said they were able to conduct their operations because of the assistance of Governor Powes Parkop and MPs Justin Tkatchenko (Moresby South), John Kaupa (Moresby North East) and Sir Mekere Morauta (Moresby North West.)
He said it was a “beg relief” to police who had to increase mobility because of the current crisis with more units patrolling various parts of the city.
The increased mobility and visibility had helped reduce the crime rate since the national emergency was declared.
Parkop yesterday gave two K30,000 cheques to two service station owners – Bomana Puma Energy service station for police serving Moresby North West and Hohola Puma Service station for police in the Moresby North East.