The Government is talking with major fuel supplier Puma Energy to address issues affecting the supply of fuel.
The Office of the Prime Minister, in a brief statement last night, says the shortage is a result of Puma’s commercial decision to shut down its refinery. The Prime Ministers' office says, part of the dialogue is to establish the reasons Puma has made this decision. It says Puma and Interoil were granted monopoly access by decisions of past Governments resulting in the impacts being felt today. It says government officials are also talking to other suppliers in the country such as Mobil, Shell and Total to fill the gap whilst discussion is being held with Puma. Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Ray Paul says there is no attempt to prevent major petrol supplier doing business in the country. Puma Energy has reportedly warned that the country is set to run out of petrol in the coming weeks, as the company winds down its supply amid negotiations with the State over taxes it has been asked to pay. Mr Paul confirms Customs has some outstanding issues with Puma that it is currently in discussions with the company to resolve. But as Radio New Zealand reports, he insists Customs is not preventing Puma operating as normal. "We have not and we will not because we are here to grow business in Papua New Guinea number one." "Secondly, as much as possible, they are investors, they come in here and what they invest in, we want to see them getting their returns as well." "We are not in the business to close anyone from doing business unless they have issues, yes we will want to deal with them up front." Puma Energy this month announced it has started preparing for the prolonged suspension of its refining activities at Napa Napa with 50 staff placed on leave. It said then that resolution was being sought with the Government as to the appropriate customs and licensing regime for the refinery to enable its continued manufacturing and import - export activity.
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