The people in Porgera and neighboring Paiam town will now have access once again to the financial and banking services provided by the BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP). This after the bank re-opened its Porgera sub- branch on Tuesday 07th March after a year of closure as a result of security issues during the 2022 National General Elections that force the sub- branch to close its doors. In announcing the re-opening of its operations in Porgera, BSP Group CEO Mark Robinson said now that the sub- branch has re- opened, the people must now take ownership of the banking facility and look after it so that BSP can continue to better serve the people in Porgera. Following the election related violence that resulted in the closure of the BSP sub- branch, BSP as a service provider and business, is concerned about the law and order issues that continue to impact communities, not just in Porgera, but across the country. “Law and order is a continuous issue faced by our branches in local communities. Whilst there is a need for banking services in these communities, criminal attacks and law and order issues put the safety of BSP staff at risk. The safety of BSP staff takes absolute priority,” said Mr. Robinson. “We are the only bank operating in Porgera and withdrawal of our services since May 2022 has deprived our customers who rely on our services where no other banks are willing to offer banking services in this province as well as many other areas in PNG.” Mr. Robinson sadly added that if any further security issues encountered will likely result in the permanent closure of the branch which would leave Porgera without commercial banking services. Despite the law-and-order challenges that continue to confront BSP, BSP operates a network of 86 branches and sub- branches located in all the provinces of PNG with many of these branches operating at a loss to BSP. BSP also continues to open new branches in the country with the recently opened Lending Centre in NCD, the Eriku Branch in Lae, Morobe, the Koroba Branch in Hela, Palmalmal in East New Britain, Namatanai in New Ireland Province, and the soon to be opened Dobel Branch in Mt Hagen.