A registered concrete company who secretly manufacture chewing gums in its premises would be under investigation after members of the Immigration spot check team found their illegal factory over the weekend.
Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau says the company is disrespectful of PNG Laws and established processes and procedures to register a company and to meet the taxation requirements.
The Immigration led Spot Check operation targeting logging, retail and foreign companies along Hiritano Highway in Central province has made this discovery near Laloki outside Port Moresby.
The Chinese company (name withheld), registered in PNG in December 2017 is specialized in concrete and aggregate products. However, it was discovered that the company secretly manufactures chewing gum in its premises under the disguise of engaging in gravel and concrete products.
IPA records confirmed that the chewing gum manufacturer (name witheld) is not a registered company and is illegally producing chewing gums and engaging in possible tax evasion and production without certification of health and safety standards.
Upon inspection, the Chinese owners were too protective over this but local workers and residents of Laloki confirmed the company produces these chewing gums in its premises and secretly sell to business houses in the city using its chain of networks.
Mr. Hulahau says such illegal operations are secretly practiced in closed and restricted premises and urges government authorities to step up efforts to prevent such illegal operations.
“I am disappointed that this particular manufacturer is not a registered company and is illegally producing chewing gums in mint and strawberry flavour and is making profit without paying any taxes to the government,” Mr Hulahau says. “If Immigration and police officers were not there, this illegal company would secretly operate and make profit without the knowledge of relevant government authorities.”
“Our intelligence confirms there are many similar operations in metropolitan areas registered as specialized in one activity but operating underworld in illegal productions for cigarettes, alcohol, cooking oil, chewing gums etc. with the idea of evading tax. Such activities are threats to the national security, the economy and the health of our people,” Mr Hulahau added.
The Immigration officers identified two Chinese nationals working with the company concern who have discrepancies in their visas and penalised them with a fine of K5,000 each. The Spot Check operations over the weekend collected a total of K100,000.00 as spot fines and penalties from Logging, retail and concrete companies along Hiritano highway.
The Chief Migration Officer says he will initiate investigations with other State Agencies into the operations of this foreign manufacturing company.