Floods hurting business

 By PISAI GUMAR
PMV’s operating the Wau-Bulolo and Menyamya route in Morobe are losing business due to the constant flooding at Kumalu River, a business representative says.   
Business representative Aaron Akui said the inconsistency of the contractor engaged to remove sediments at Kumalu was contributing to the loss.
“If the contractor was engaged and paid purposely to do that job, please remain there to serve the commuters,” Akui said.
Most trade store owners were now using PMV trucks to deliver their store goods after Pelgens, which used to transport the goods to the two districts, ceased its operation after its warehouses got burnt down in Lae.
Akui said most vehicles travelled from 4am-10am and 3pm-10pm.
“However, inconsistency and unsteadiness of the equipment (at Kumalu) costs our businesses. Time is money.”
“We are forced to make fire at Kumalu River to wait for 12-24 hours for the excavators to come and remove the sediment or for the river to subside,” Akui said.
The inconsistency of the contractor, to station its equipment at Kumalu, affects coffee producers and buyers from Biaru and Biangai villages in Wau, in Bulolo district, including Aseki, Menyamya, and Marawaka.
“It affects the operations of major trucking engaged by the MMJV to deliver services and goods.”