By JOEL K ANDREW
ALL public motor vehicles (PMV) that transport people from Gulf province through the Hiritano highway to Port Moresby are now given guarantee by the local MP for Kerema to be insured.
This was made possible following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) on Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023.
MP for Kerema Thomas Opa who is also the Vice Minister for Petroleum and Energy had to miss the parliament session purposely to attend this significant ceremony for the benefit of his people and PMVs from Kerema and Gulf province at large.
The signing ceremony of the MoU took place in the presence of Gulf PMV Association President, Mr. Paul Paiva and his executives, and Tauri/Lakekamu President Hon. Fosa Torea and his administration staff.
The purpose of this MoU signing was to re-establish partnership between MVIL and the Gulf province, as well as to support local SME PMV owners to at least put portion of an investment to them in honoring their consistency in providing transport services to local Gulf people.
“We understand that our small PMV owners have been doing well through tough times and this full subsidy will now assist them to focus on other aspects of their PMV business including loan repayments, wear and tear plus high maintenance cost of running their PMVs in serving a growing population on daily basis,” Opa said.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Opa presented a cheque of K200,000 to MVIL to fully subsidize all Gulf-owned PMV trucks and buses that are always on operation serving the people of Gulf/Kerema.
This means that Kerema DDA will now paying for all registration and CTP insurance cover for all Gulf-owned PMV trucks.
Opa said that, “This is our way of supporting our SME PMV owners who continue to make sure our people are transported, goods and services including fuel and logistics reach our people, cargo as well as betelnuts, sago, fish, crabs, prawns and other cash crops and produce are transported between Port Moresby and Kerema”.
In terms of compliance, Mr. Opa said the partnership now ensures that all PMV owned by Gulf operators are now fully insured and that the safety and lives of our people are fully assured in terms of third-party insurance.
The MoU signing and money allocation paves the way for MVIL’s reestablishment of office in Gulf province purposely to provide their services in full package at the doorsteps as they consider returning to Kerema Town.
The circulation of these allocated funds will also be paid back to Gulf province and form part of its internal revenue base.
“I wish to thank MVIL, CEO Michael Makap and the executives and staff for this wonderful partnership and looking forward to greater opportunities for our people of Kerema district and Gulf province,” said Opa.
