Bad roads mean high transport charges

MANY rural people are unable to sell their produce due to high transport cost as a result of poor road conditions.
The charges are based on road conditions; poor roads mean higher cost of vehicle maintenance and the people think it is fair.
Unfortunately, such high cost has discouraged trade activities from ex­panding.
People produce just enough for their own consumption as there is no in-centive or motivation to do any selling.
As a result, many families continue to live without improvement to their lives.
The problem is the earnings they can make from selling their produce cannot cover the PMV costs.
Often, people are not able to sell all their produce, which makes the si­tuation even worse.
This is a widespread problem throughout many rural areas of PNG.
However, if fares were to  reduce, given the im­provement in road conditions, people may choose to sell their produce.
My local Mendi MP has been appointed as the vice-minister for works and I believe it is not by accident.
I hope he will be able to make a difference for everyone.

Theodore Mawe
Goroka