PMV slammed for fare increase
ENGA Land Transport Board has slammed the illegal fare increase by Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) in the province. CEO Tokas Tokari said his board was irritated over the increase which he described as “illegal” as not approved and gazetted by the board. It was speculated in the province that many PMV operators were charging the passengers at their own will causing much disrepute and anxiety to the people. Mr Tokari is appealing to the general public to lodge their complaints with his office or police if they are charged extra fees. He also said the new fare increase would be effective only if it was approved by the NLTB.

Summit focuses on sanitation
WATER security and sanitation management is the main focus of the Asia Pacific Water summit in Japan. The summit was told that more than 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and about 2.6 billion people do not have basic sanitation. PNG was among 36 countries that attended the summit on Dec 3-4. Environment and Conservation Minister Benny Allan and a senior officer from the department Kay Kalim represented PNG. Mr Allan stressed that PNG must take the situation seriously and find ways to ensure our people have good and safe drinking water.

Leaders urged to fix roads
THE people of Pilikambi in Laiagam district, Enga province, are calling on their elected leaders to fix the road from Laiagam to Kepelam. Mathew Sumun of Kepelam ward, who claimed to represent other 11 councillors, said the deteriorating road condition was preventing 70,000 people from receiving basic goods and services. He said Lagaip headwater was the most populated constituency with over 70,000 people that made up about 60% of the total population in the Lagaip-Porgera electorate.

Appeal for blood
EAST New Britain charity queen Sandra Lau has again taken the lead to appeal for blood donations to help the St Mary’s Vunapope hospital. Ms Lau, the owner of Tropicana Ltd, for many years had helped students with special scholarships, funding school facilities, hospitals and many needy organisations. Ms Lau is joining the Vunapope blood bank in asking for donations after discovering, during a visit to the hospital recently, that many sick people were anemic.

Job training for prisoners
TEN prisoners from the Baisu jail were among 91
pioneer students who graduated with certificates in various fields from the Baisu Four Square Correctional Services Vocational and Technical Secondary School recently. The students graduated in motor mechanic, computing, welding, spray painting, carpentry, panel beating and secretarial courses after undergoing two years of study. Western Highlands provincial education planner Susan Waine told the students that education did not stop even when students drop out from schools.

No rest for Customs officers
The Customs at the Jackson International Airport and the wharf will be working throughout the festive
period. The Internal Revenue Commission will be closed. A skeleton staff will be operating the Customs and the tax cashiers will remain open for half a day on Dec 24, 27, 28 and 31.