Sturdy vehicles needed

CONTROLLER of the Oro Disaster State of Emergency (SoE) has said that sturdy and tough vehicles were needed for the transportation of the relief supplies and security forces amidst destroyed infrastructure.
Col Vagi Oala told The National yesterday that the six 10-seater Toyota land cruisers shipped from Lae were kept at the Oro Bay wharf until last Sunday when the vehicles were driven to the University of Vudal.
Mr Oala said the first team of assessors who travelled to Popondetta after the disaster struck, had recommended that such vehicles were needed because of the damaged infrastructure.
Although he could not provide the name of the Mt Hagen-based company, Mr Oala said the vehicles from the company were used during the 2007 national election operations, the SoE in Mendi and other major operations.
“It is a very reputable company,” the controller said.