Work on land, says Marape

 PAPUA New Guineans living in rural communities have been urged to turn to agriculture to sustain their livelihoods.

Speaking during a K2 million cheque presentation to the people of Sumkar at the Murunas Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute on Madang’s North Coast Road, Finance Minister James Marape (pictured) said people must till the land as it was where the money was.

“Let us not be lazy people. Only lazy people will go hungry in Papua New Guinea,” he said. 

“God has blessed our country with many resources. I urge you all to grow cash crops like cocoa, coconut and rubber to make ends meet.

“I also appeal to you all, especially the young people, to keep yourselves preoccupied and stay away from law and order problems like what those lunatics on Karkar Island have done,” he said.

He was referring to the assault and rape of an American scientist on the island recently.

Marape also committed K500,000 towards the CCRI to assist with research work to eradicate the cocoa pod borer pest.

Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather thanked the government for the funding assistance. He agreed that people must work the land to plant crops. 

The money is to purchase cocoa seedlings for farmers in the Sumgilbar local level government area.