K8m vessel arrives in Kikori to serve people

PEOPLE of Kikori in Gulf are rejoicing after the arrival of the district’s new vessel.
Kikori MP Mark Maipakai said despite its late delivery, he and the people were thankful that a new vessel was replacing their ship which sank more than five years ago.
“We have waited for its replacement for more than five years,” Maipakai said.
“The first ship we acquired sank in Korean waters. The buyer had to go and look for a new ship. Karridate Limited PNG has finally delivered the ship.”
He said the Kikori District Development Authority had incorporated a transport company.
The shareholders are the four local level governments of Baimuru, East and West Kikori and Ahi.
“It was purchased under the national transport plan and not from our DSIP funds. The ship (mv Aihi) cost K8 million,” Maipakai said.
It will be used on the Port Moresby-Kikori route. It has a capacity for 100 passengers and a speed of 25 nautical miles an hour.
“It is not easy to run shipping businesses. We have got three ships – mv East/West Kikori, mv Baimuru and mv Ahi. Only after cost benefit analysis, we are able to determine the fares for the passengers. I think it will be competitive with airlines. Going to Kikori and return to POM is almost K2000,” Maipakai said.