Community leader praises plan
INDIGENOUS figure Cedric William's message is simple: do it well or don't do it at all.
Yesterday Mr Williams voiced his praise for the new APLNG and ConocoPhillips' Many Rivers program, which will provide financial incentives to indigenous small business owners.
But with any good initiative, there is also a place for concern.
"I just hope a lot of people put their hands up for it and have a serious go," he said.
"They are going to have to look at the bigger picture to make it work."
He also said a lot of indigenous people had started a small business, but it didn't work out the way they wanted it to.
"There have been people (who start a small business) but a lot of them have fallen over," he said.
"The biggest impediment is going to be themselves. They are going to have to really focus on business, than expecting business to focus on their way of life."
Mr Williams said he was interested to see how the program would pan out.
"If it's used the right way it should be fine. It's going to be interesting to see how many people put their hands up," he said.
