Transport delegates responsibilities to Hela

Caption:   (L) Warren Temokang, Nelson Lari, Minister Pala, Andrew Kaupi, and Secretary Mumu

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

HELA became the last province to be delegated the responsibilities of the land transport matters, by the Transport Department through its Land Transport Division last week, at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

Present to sign the instruments to enable the delegated responsibilities included the Minister for Transport Ano Pala, Secretary for Transport and Superintendent of Motor Traffic Roy Mumu, and the Chairman of the Land Transport Board (LTB) Warren Temokang.

The instruments will enable one of the newest provinces in the country to establish its own Traffic Registry and Provincial Land Transport Board, which will enable the provinicial administration to deliver services such as the registrations of vehicles and road worthiness checks by the province.

In presenting documents to the signatories, First Assistant Secretary for the Land Transport Division Nelson Lari reiterated the government’s goal in bringing services right to the rural people in the country, which was what the department and division aimed to do.

“Today we are here to witness the delegation of responsibilities of the Land Transport Division to the Hela Provincial Government,” he said.

“It is a sign of confidence the department has in Hela, to ensure it is recognized as a province to grant the renewal and suspension of vehicle licences.” 

Director for Corporate Services for the Hela Provincial Administration, Andrew Kaupi, thanked the Minister, Secretary, and Chairman of LTB on behalf of the provincial government for their recognition.

“It is an added responsibility for us as a government and I would like to thank all the people involved in facilitating this achievement,” he said.

“As you know Hela is home to the LNG project and a rapidly growing population, which will see an increase in industry.”

“With this increased activity, there has been an influx of more than 3,000 vehicles into the province and this signing enables us to regulate them.”