Photo: PM Marape addressing the people of Mengar
James Marape has advised East Sepik residents to invest more in agriculture to strengthen the local and national economies.
He made the announcement at Mengar, Wewak, during the inauguration of the K500 million Wewak International Port, which Korea sponsored in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea government.
All of the people of East Sepik's agricultural efforts, according to PM Marape, would be for nought if there was no port to transport their goods to foreign markets.
He said the new port would help him establish official economic ties with Indonesia, which he visited last month.
Papua New Guinea, through East Sepik, is one of the world's major vanilla producers, with much of it crossing the Indonesian land boundary.
“All the work we are doing in East Sepik in vanilla, cocoa and other agriculture produce will be wasted if this port is not built,” PM Marape said.
“We already have a wharf in Wewak. However, we need something bigger and better to sustain tomorrow's economy – consistent with our view that everyone must have money in their pockets.
“I urge all the people of East Sepik to go into agriculture.”
According to PM Marape, East Sepik is already benefiting from the K340 million European Union-funded Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Trade (STREIT) initiative, which focuses heavily on agriculture and fisheries.
Aside from that, the government is pumping millions of kina into farm price assistance, freight subsidies, and other initiatives.
PM Marape expressed gratitude to Mengar landowners for permitting the new port to be built on their land and promised government aid to displaced residents, including improved road access and power.
He also promised government funding for Mengar's local school.
“The economy, and the people, must benefit from this port which will be built over the next two years,” he said.
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (16 April 2022). “PM Marape launches K500 million Wewak Port”.
