LAE chamber of commerce and industry (LCCI) president John Byrne has welcomed the Government’s response to address the fuel price increase effected last week.
“We look forward to the support plan, which reduces and stabilises fuel price being enacted this week, as reported,” he said.
“We have no understanding of how long this will go on for, despite the current (Middle East) ceasefire, which are often not simple negotiations with all parties expecting to come out in a better position.
“Therefore, the K1 billion package needs to be measured out while achieving the targets set by the Government.”
Byrne was confident that PNG will survive the global fuel crisis.
“We are fortunate here in PNG that our issue is rising cost, not daily bombing, loss of life and infrastructure, families torn apart,” he said.
“We will manage.”
Byrne offered LCCI’s engagement in further discussions since Lae is the commercial, manufacturing, transport and shipping hub of PNG.
“What is important is how we managed the down-flow effect to our community and businesses, therefore our own challenged economy,” he said.
“The current fuel crisis has been the biggest concern for every sector of our community.”
Byrne said that every Pacific island nation and the more mature economies of Australia and New Zealand were asking the same question: why there were no or inadequate local refineries and limited use of solar power.
“Let’s look at only what needs to be addressed now and our Government already has,” he said.
“PNG is a Christian nation.
“Now is the time for prayer, coupled with preparedness and action.
“Let us work together to manage through this crisis, matters that are driven by other economies and leaders.”
