Photo: PM Marape addressing a crowd of people in Tari.
Hon. James Marape has encouraged Hela residents to start companies, particularly commercial agriculture, and to pursue education.
PM Marape made the announcement in front of thousands of people in Tari at the opening of the spectacular K8 million National National Bank (NDB) Building, dubbed Moses Liu Haus in honor of the late Moses Liu, former NDB managing director and Hela man.
The National Development Bank contributed K4 million, the Hela Provincial Government K3 million, and the Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA) K1 million to the project.
The PM revealed in front of the jubilant throng that the Tari-Pori DDA office, known as Pangale Haus, had been donated to Women's Micro Bank to serve the district's women, who had been completing SME training at Hope Institute with Mrs Rachael Marape.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State Enterprises, Hon. Hon. William Duma, Minister of Defense Hon. Win Daki, Minister of Public Service Hon. Joe Sungi, Governor of Hela Representatives from Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH), and other State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including NDB, were present.
He also revealed that Tari-Pori DDA had contributed K3 million to NDB and the Hela Provincial Government had contributed K5 million to the bank, which will begin lending to Hela residents on Monday, May 9, 2022.
PM Marape asked the people of Hela to be inspired by Shirley Komboli and Peter Honale, two Hela business success stories who became millionaires without the help of the PNG LNG Project or MPs.
“In the 1980s, when Shirley Komboli and Peter Honale started their small businesses, there was no Hides gas field or MP to help them get started,” he said.
“Shirley Komboli was a simple village woman and Peter Honale was a simple village man, but today, they have properties in Australia, Port Moresby, Lae, and other parts of the country.
“If they can do it, so can you.”
PM Marape mentioned the example of a young guy from Tewai-Siassi, Morobe, who went into the coffee industry after finishing university and made K800,000 in revenue last year.
“A bag of coffee can now earn you K600 per bag with the price support we are now offering,” he said.
“You can earn more money from coffee, SMEs, and agriculture than idling around waiting for LNG money.”
PM Marape said four of the 115 students who sat for Grade 12 exams at Hope Institute last year – which provides school leavers with a second shot in education – were currently studying at the University of PNG, six at Pacific Adventist University, and 16 at the University of Goroka.
“I urge those of you who are doing nothing to go to Hope Institute and have a second chance at furthering your education too, whilst the rest can go into MSME opportunities the Government is creating,” PM Marape said.
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (7 May 2022). “PM Marape urges Hela people to go into business and education”.
