East Sepik tourism operator worried about fuel shortage  

A month of limited supply of petrol is now hitting East Sepik Province hard.  

Cyril Tara from Kamanimbit Village in the Angoram District, a tour guide in the PNG tourism industry for over 30 years, said the petrol shortage will severely impact the local tourism industry.

He explained that international tourists have already bought itineraries to attend festivals such as the Ambunti Crocodile Festival and the Kanganamun Tumbuna Festival, starting next month, but can cancel their visits because of unexpected additional charges by the operators because of increased fuel prices.

He further said, people along the Sepik River who rely on outdoor motors to travel to Maprik to sell fish are struggling as the price for a gallon of petrol has increased by K30, and now its selling at K80.

Mr Tara appealed to the provincial government and other relevant authorities to address the fuel shortage in the province.

The impact of the petrol shortage in the province is also hitting a cross-sector of the local economy, including outboard motor operators, retail fuel suppliers, and communities on the islands and along the Sepik River, with a sudden price spike.  

Randolf Trangui, a local retail fuel supplier in the province said demand, outmatching the supply of petrol supply will increase retail prices.