K300,000 boost for Morobe shipping service

By LARRY ANDREW
THE revival of the Morobe Coastal Shipping Service (MCSS) was given a shot in the arm with a K300,000 grant from the Morobe government.
MCSS was set up in 2014 by MPs from Huon Gulf, Nawaeb, Finschhafen Kabwum and Tewae-Siassi to serve their people after the liquidation of Lutheran Shipping.
Governor Ginson Saonu, while presenting the grant said he wanted to see the transport system in the province back to where it was in the time of Lutheran Shipping and that transport, communication and education were “very important basics for any government.”
Saonu, after hearing how former MPs had contributed to setting up MCSS, assumed responsibility by committing K300,000 to restart MCSS.
“I ask the management to put to good use the funds and provide a good report on the use as it is a public money,” he said.
“People will ask if MCSS had received money from the national government, they asked for K10mil and now you have given K300,000.
“We haven’t heard the good story from them.
“I don’t want to hear such stories, so you play your part in the management for transparency in the funds given and you help us and we will continue the support.
“It’s good to be part of the government and if anything happens the government is there to support.”
MCSS chairman Paul Isan, serving the board for almost six years, said because of situations, most shareholders and board members who were executive officers from the districts, had not fully participated.
“Being the only surviving board member and also the chairman, we have kept MCSS going,” he said.