PNG maintains ban on heavy fuel

Papua New Guinea (PNG) will not be continually used as a dumping ground for used clothes, cars and various other goods including high sulphur content fuel, Paul Bengo, chief-of-staff to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, said. “Government has to remain consistent in its support for clean development options for the future benefit of PNG, its people and, in this instance, our atmosphere,” Bengo said in a statement. He was referring to the government’s decision to ban the importation of petroleum products with sulfur content higher than the legally allowable level. A National Executive Council (NEC) submission by State Enterprise Minister Arthur Somare on the matter is awaiting Cabinet hearing and deliberation. Somare has also reportedly been meeting with stakeholders, especially companies who use the high sulfur fuel for their industrial operations including shipping, mining and generating electricity, among others. Appropriate authorities should be looking into these areas like drugs that were banned in developed countries but dumped in developing countries, he said, adding that while PNG was not among the great polluters of the world, it must not be complacent but be proactive in introducing high standards to which international and domestic companies should comply. (March 26, 2009)