West New Britain needs State funding

 THE New Britain Palm Oil Limited operation in West New Britain contributes about K1 billion annually to the Government’s revenue, Governor Sasindran Muthuvel says. 

He told The National that the Government, because of this, should treat infrastructure development in the province as a priority. “Oil palm is the only major economic contributor,” he said.  

“We contribute about K1.1b to the national purse. When everything is going into chaos – the oil industry, gas industry, prices dropping – agriculture, the green gold, continues to support.

“We contribute over K1.1b every year into the Government’s purse. 

“WNB has much more potential to contribute and to grow and we appeal to the Government to reciprocate by developing infrastructure which is conducive for the industry. If they can give us the roads which can withstand rain, the bridge which can withstand the high rainfall – that’s the only thing that they can support to promote this industry and to grow the economy.

“Agriculture contributes 25 per cent of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) but we are investing about two per cent of our budget into agriculture. 

There is a big disparity there.

“While we contribute 25 per cent to agriculture, we also should allocate about 25 per cent of our budget here.”      Meanwhile, with the New Britain Palm Oil Limited having its headquarters in Kimbe, Muthuvel acknowledged the scholarship offered by the Sime Darby Foundation to five students from the province to continue their studies in higher learning institutions. 

“I wish that we extend that scholarship to many more students. The good thing about this scholarship is that its four years of support.”