K3,000 fine for typical offences

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A PMV bus driver pleaded guilty to three charges and was fined K3,000 by the Waigani Traffic Court in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
Magistrate Rebecca Kwayaila imposed the fine on Manuel Abraham, 30, of Tomba village, Tambul-Nebilyer, Western Highlands for using an unauthorised PMV route, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered vehicle.
Police Prosecutor Const Austin Dasiga submitted to the court that such offences were committed daily as offenders were constantly ignoring traffic rules.
He submitted that a serious penalty be imposed to deter offenders, suggesting a fine of K3,000 which was upheld by the court. In default, Abraham will spend six months in custody.
On July 20, at around 1.20pm, Abraham was seen driving a Toyota Coaster bus along the Porepona Freeway at Burns Peak Mountain, Port Moresby.
He was driving up the Burns Peak hill transporting passengers from Konedobu via Burns Peak and to Gordon Market when members from the Fox 1 Unit intercepted them while on patrol.
When checked by the policemen, he was found to have no licence, an unregistered vehicle and using an undesignated route.
He was taken to the Downtown police station where he was arrested and charged.
Meanwhile, his crew was also fined by the court for not having a current crew permit.
Magistrate Kwayaila fined Nikol Buru, 22, from Ialibu village, Kaupena, Southern Highlands K1,000 after he plead guilty to the offence.
He faces a default imprisonment term of two months.
Both men are remanded and will be released once the payments of their fines are completed.