Drivers: Lae roads worst in country

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

ROADS in Lae, Morobe, have been described as the worst in the country by 20 drivers interviewed at random in the city.

They were asked to give their opinions on the road conditions which badly need upgrading.

Of the 20, 16 blamed the Morobe parliamentarians for failing to persuade the national government to providing funding for the road upgrade.

The remaining four blamed the provincial supplies and tenders board for awarding contracts to companies which did not meet certain requirements.

Paul Vagi, a vehicle owner and driver, said: “You don’t have to be a university graduate to know that obviously someone is playing up and engaged in corrupt deals.

“How can a company be awarded a contract when it does not even own enough machines or equipment?

“I know some contractors use the funding to purchase what machines they lack.”

Six PMV drivers interviewed said their businesses were the worst affected.

“They blame us for charging extra bus fares, making connection trips instead of just one trip and not properly servicing our buses,” John Olga from Western Highlands said.

“But the public forgets that it is the Lae MP and Morobe Governor and the national government who should be taking the blame.

“It is very hard to operate in a pothole city like Lae. We pay a lot for expenses. At the end of the day, the amount of money we make is not enough.”

They have urged Lae MP Loujaya Toni and Morobe Governor Kelly Naru to aggressively push for the sealing of all roads in the city.