FEBRUARY 6 2022
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Hon. John Simon says it is in the best interests of Jiwaka and Papua New Guinea that the rundown Wahgi Mek Plantations in the Wahgi Valley are revived.
Minister Simon said the Marape Government was willing to help revive the plantations with financial support, however, a proper work programme must be in place.
He said this during a meeting with Wahgi Mek shareholders and Jiwaka Governor, Hon. Dr. William Tongamp, in Banz on Friday (February 4 2022).
Wahgi Mek Ltd, owned by South Wahgi LLG, North Wahgi LLG and Hunter Richard Hagon, was once the single biggest coffee exporter in the country until it ceased operations due to landowner disputes.
There have been many attempts to revive the 14 plantations but to no avail.
“We all know very well that the economy of Jiwaka is dependent on coffee,” Minister Simon said.
“The biggest coffee gardens to restore our Jiwaka economy are the Wahgi Mek Plantations.
“It is in the interests of everyone that Wahgi Mek is revived.
“Our national coffee production is dropping, and one of the contributing factors to that, is Wahgi Mek Plantations not producing.
“The big coffee plantations in the Wahgi Valley like Wahgi Mek, Gumanch and others need to be revived.
“What has happened to Wahgi Mek Plantations is a very sad story.”
Minister Simon said leadership was critical to revive Wahgi Mek Plantations, especially at a time like now, when people were better educated than in the past.
“The problem now with reviving plantations like Wahgi Mek is that everyone wants to be a leader, and at the end of the day, nothing gets done,” he said.
“Let’s do something, let’s do it now.”
“If our heart is in the right place, what we are trying to do will happen.”
Minister Simon said a start could be made by reviving one plantation first, and then move on to the others, rather than try to revive all of them at the same time.
He said the onus was on everyone to work together, especially the two LLGs and Jiwaka Provincial Government, to revive the Wahgi Mek Plantations.
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