Sepik Plains

Governor clarifies Sepik plains projects

Governor Allan Bird made the clarification in response to an article published on Loop PNG regarding national interest in the Sepik Plains.

During the budget presentation of the East Sepik Provincial Budget to Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, the Governor responded to comments made by Abel regarding significant funding to his province for agricultural projects by the National Government.

ESP Governor not aware of projects

The Governor said he is aware that investments are being planned for major projects in the Provinces, however, he does not have the necessary information.

The Governor said the Sepik Plains has more than a million hectares of arable land, and if managed well, will deliver long term sustainable projects that can last a lifetime and provide hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“The National Government may be of an opinion that we are somehow involved and we are pushing this national agenda based on this large resources that are being invested.

State approves equity structure for Sepik project

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru, says cabinet has approved the shareholding structure, which gives 5 percent to locals.

Minister Maru said the equity structure approval paves the way for the chicken, grain and cocoa proposed projects to go ahead.

The Government is partnering with Israeli firm, LR Group, to implement the project.

Maru said the land is state owned but the Government has given a percentage to the locals to be active participants of the project.

Sepik Plains high on Govt agenda

This is to develop agricultural and farming projects to reduce the country’s reliance on imported food.

National Planning and Monitoring Minister and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru, said this when leading a delegation for an aerial view of the proposed site of the chicken and grain project under the Sepik Economic Zone (SEZ).

The delegation included Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) CEO, Lior Crystal, CEO of the PNG Cocoa Board, Kautu Boutua and Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davis.

Investor committed to Sepik Plains projects

Chief executive officer of the Innovative Agro Industry, Lior Crystal, was part of a delegation that flew over to the Sepik Plains on Monday, Sept 18, 2017.

Other parties on the aerial inspection were the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Bruce Davis, and the CEO of the PNG Cocoa Board, Kautu Boutua.

The delegation was led by the Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, and Member for Yangoru-Saussia, Richard Maru.

Huge potential for cattle industry in Sepik Plains

Chairman of Livestock Export Corporation of Meat and Livestock Association of Australia, David Galvin, said this after touring the Sepik Plains last weekend.

Galvin came to the Sepik Plains at the invitation of Member for Yangoru Saussia and Minister for Trade Commerce and Industry Richard Maru.