Drivers concerned about deteriorating highways

By PISAI GUMAR
TRUCK and public vehicle drivers using the Highlands and Madang highways are worried about the deteriorating state of the roads.
Driver Mukap Palme said because they had to negotiate some sections slowly, they had seen an escalation in criminal activities resulting in attacks on and the removal of cargo and vehicle parts.
He said the poor road conditions caused accidents and drivers were often forced to pay locals to clear landslides, debris and patch potholes on the roads.
“We (drivers) act as the ‘immune system’ in the mobility and delivery of economic activities and services from point A to B,” Palme said.
“Regardless of our perseverance and endurance, our government keeps neglecting to fix the road.”
Palme, a senior driver with Mapai Transport, who spent 30 years working on the highway, said road conditions were worsening because of the continuous movement of heavy vehicles servicing mining operators and activities.
“It costs semi-trailers between K20 and K50, while PMV buses pay K5-K20 from own pocket to access roads blocked by landslides. Otherwise, vehicles are denied access while locals ransack cargoes,” Palme said.
“It puts our lives at risk because we are attacked, harassed and personal items robbed, leaving us helpless as locals ransack containers carrying food items and vehicles parts for sale.
“But our government continues to ignore the incidents we face, including the loss of human lives through accidents.”
Palme said the cost of business had escalated into millions of kina each year through insurance cover, high rate of vehicle maintenance and the loss of cargo to criminal elements.
He urged the government to address road rehabilitation as a matter of urgency because the treatment of this “national asset” by successive governments and minister responsible had seen too much lip service.