Tarutia praises response: We cannot afford any more distractions

Business

THE PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the response by Prime Minister James Marape, Police Commissioner David Manning and the Security Advisory Council in addressing the civil unrest in Port Moresby on Monday.
“By afternoon, Port Moresby streets, main shopping centres and fuel stations were closed,” president Ian Tarutia said yesterday.
“Most business houses, organisations sent staff home early.
“Today (yesterday) the streets are relatively quiet as city residents remain at home and off the streets as a precautionary measure. The use of our (soldiers) to provide support the police is welcomed and must remain in place until all counts are completed and seats declared.
“The return of writs by July 29, and Parliament sitting on Aug 4 to elect a new Government are very tight deadlines to meet.
“We cannot afford any further distractions whether in Port Moresby or around the country.
“Business houses have borne a lot of costs that cannot be recovered since the issue of writs and this cannot be allowed to continue.
“Businesses have endured loss of productivity, loss of sales, supply chain disruptions as a consequence of inconsistent polling days, opportunistic violence and slow response from public service.
“Consumers, on the other hand, have experienced increased prices of goods and services including fuel.
“These are not easy times.
“Businesses need to operate and people need to work without fear or intimidation to provide for themselves and their families.
“Normalcy needs to be restored as soon as possible so we all get on with our lives.”