Photo: Manus Acting Provincial Administrator Mr. Oka Nungu and IPA Managing Director Mr. Clarence Hoot proudly showing the signed MOUs after the signing.
The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Manus Provincial Administration (MPA).
The MOU paves way for the Manus Provincial Administration to deliver IPA services through the Help Desk which was also launched as part of the week-long IPA outreach program in Manus Province.
The MOU was signed by the IPA Managing Director Mr. Clarence Hoot and Manus Acting Provincial Administrator Mr. Oka Nungu.
To kick-start the implementation of the MOU, IPA officers trained Commerce Officers within the Manus Provincial Administration on how to use the IPA’s online registry services to lodge business applications. The IPA also donated a computer set including a printer and wifi modem to assist the Commerce Officers’ use in providing these services.
In his statement during the MOU signing, Mr. Hoot said he was happy to see that the MOU was finally signed after a while. He reinforced the IPA’s commitment in making available its services right down to the district level with the use of information technology. “The IPA over the years has been committed in ensuring that its services trickle down to ordinary citizens,” Mr. Hoot said. “That is why we have been investing resources in strengthening partnerships and enhancing collaboration with Provincial Administrations as well as other stakeholders,” he added.
Mr Hoot further added that in acknowledging the internet connectivity issues currently being experienced in some parts of the country, that should not stop us from continuing to strive for service delivery using technology as connectivity issues will be addressed in no time into the future.
In response Mr. Nungu expressed satisfaction and gave assurance of his Administration’s support towards the IPA’s cause saying that the gesture by IPA to purchase the equipment demonstrated that the IPA was serious about how businesses are conducted in Manus. “What IPA did was a symbol of commitment towards making it cheaper for Manusians to do business,” Mr. Nungu said.
The signing of the MOU with Manus Provincial Administration now brings the number of MOUs and IPA help desks established with Provincial Administrations to eight provinces.
Others include East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, East Sepik, Milne Bay, Oro, Morobe and Madang.
This is aside from the IPA regional offices which are located in Buka, Kokopo, Lae and Mt. Hagen.
IPA also has existing MOUs with its colleague regulatory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Commission, Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority, Customs PNG, Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (Bank of Papua New Guinea), PNG Fraud Directorate and National Cultural Commission.
Mr. Hoot is calling on other Provincial Administrations and Government Agencies to partner with the IPA so that all government services can be streamlined and delivered to the people in rural communities and provinces so they can equally participate in building the economy of the country.
