By Benorah Carrie Hesehing in Wewak-East Sepik
A locally owned hospitality service provider in Maprik, East Sepik province is in need for necessary drive, guidance and exposure to access support and growth in his business.
Lurukwe Guest House was established as a hospitality business venture in 2005 by a self-made local businessman in Maprik, Brian Lurukwe.
Since starting his business venture , it has been building and expanding from the revenue generated from Mr Lurukwe’s vehicle hire to PMV service from Wewak to Yangkok LLG in Sandaun and also from the guest house as well.
“Mi no laik long go long benk na kisim dinau mani bikos nogut mi no wokim gut mani na ol i kam pairapim dua long kisim dinau(I do not want to get bank loan because I might not make enough money to repay loan on time and they come after me for loan repayment),” he said.
Mr Lurukwe told this newsroom that Lurukwe Guest House is in need of service facility improvement and expansion, exposure and direction from other business experts in order to stay active in business and contribute to the provincial economy as a whole .
The guest house was established as a monopoly back then , however Maprik town being a common trading centre in the province with high cash flow and more people flooding in and out each day; its competitors in the hospitality sector grew as well over the years.
Mr Lurukwe said this brought up the need for the service to be maintained and be conducive so that it can continue to compete in the market space.
He further said he needs up to a million kina in order to fully upgrade and furnish the facility from lodging to dining and also the restrooms, including parking lot and exterior landscaping.
“Sapos ol benk inap lo daunim ol ‘requirements’ blong ol na mekim isi long mipla ol man long ples long kisim dinau mani bai orait long mi kamapim ol displa wok hariap(If the banks can make their loan requirements flexible to accommodate for locals who are not in the formal sector, I may benefit and fast track service improvement) . Nau yet em hat tumas lo mi. (As it is now, I am not able to meet the requirements),” Mr Lurukwe added.
Mr Lurukwe assets include a valued piece of land with title, two running vehicles, one trade store and a modern residential property. He said he is still not aware of how he can access the loan the government has availed for the local SME’s sector.
He is a self-made business man who passed out of grade six(6) in 1975 and has chosen to stay strong in cash crop farming.
