Landowner companies engaged in stevedoring business at the Lae International Wharf are objecting to the tender process to select the future stevedoring operator for the port in Morobe Province.
They alleged that PNG Ports has only short listed foreign companies and this will affect their business, resulting in many impacted landowners to lose employment.
In a joint notice, Ahi Investment chairman George Gware and Labu Holdings chairman Nasimon Dau said, “they on behalf of the Ahi and Labu communities, and the people of Morobe Province express our extreme disappointment and strong objection to the current PNG Ports Corporation tender process relating to the operating concession for the future international facility at the Lae Tidal Basin facility.
“An expression of interest for the future terminal operating concession submitted by a consortium comprising our joint venture partnerships, Lae Port Services and Riback Stevedoring, has been rejected and PNG Ports has shortlisted only foreign overseas interests for the tender process.”
Deputy Opposition leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil supported their call, saying the State is trying to bring international competitors to the Lae Wharf without considering the landowner companies.
PNG Ports have yet to reply to Loop PNG email questions when the story was published online.