Puma Energy is the largest entity in downstream petroleum distribution in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Supplied
Papua New Guinea's Commissioner of Police, David Manning, has ordered the PNG central bank to sort out foreign currency issues for key fuel importer, Puma Energy.
Manning issued the directive in his role as the National Pandemic Controller.
Puma has been having difficulty importing fuel since the beginning of 2023, reportedly because the BPNG is limiting access to foreign exchange.
"The economic damage caused by the global pandemic still lingers and in my capacity I will not let this disagreement between BPNG and Puma set back our recovery," Manning said.
"These are big organisations who should both have systems in place to prevent their disputes escalating to the point of costing livelihoods and lives.
"When fuel supplies are reduced or cut, medicines cannot be transported, ambulance operations are hindered, businesses have to send workers home and food does not get to market," he said.
David Manning Photo: Supplied/ Royal PNG Constabulary
The Commissioner said energy security was central to economic stability and public safety, so the government had taken action to overcome an unacceptable situation.
He said he had the backing of the prime minister and the minister for internal security.
"Puma must immediately put an end to fuel rationing, restore fuel supplies from current stocks that are in the country and make urgent delivery of additional supplies," he siad.
"With their global reach, Puma can have urgent resupply so there can be no excuses on their part for not immediately ending the rationing."
Manning said that as the police commissioner and pandemic controller he has the responsibility to intervene and prevent harm to the people because two major organisations cannot resolve their differences.
RNZ Pacific's PNG correspondent, Scott Waide, said the issues with availability of foreign exchange have been getting worse in recent years.
He said it even impingnes on the Ministry of Health which struggles to get enough foreign exchange to buy medicines.
Waide said the BPNG has stated publicly that ilt believes there is sufficient foreign exchange available.
Its main concern is to reduce pressure on the kina though some pundits say it should be allowed to fall in value.
