MP: Boat belongs to my people

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday August 5th, 2013

 Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour said the mv Morobe Rainforest II belongs to the district and people of Huon Gulf.

He said this in a statement when responding to a recent news report that a New Zealand company was facilitating the training of locals to operate and maintain the large cargo and passenger ferry for the people of Huon Gulf in Morobe. 

The report said officers were to be trained by a company Seymour and the Joint District Planning and Budget Priority Committee was not aware of.

“The Mv Morobe Rainforest II was purchased with funding from PIP (public investment programme, DSIP (district services improvement programme) and the PM’s office, totalling over K11 million,” Seymour said.

“I applaud former MP Sasa Zibe and the government that supported the purchase of the vessel through funds allocated to assist the people.

“The MV Morobe Rainforest II will service thousands of people in the Huon Gulf district and other parts of Morobe and I must acknowledge various government agencies that funded the vessel.”

Seymour called on those involved to deal with his office. 

He also called on Challenge Marine Ltd to deal with his office and the district administration to facilitate the final payment and delivery of the vessel.

National Planning Minister Charles Abel, in a letter dated July 11, 2013, confirmed that the boat was owned and should be operated by the district administration to service the people of Huon Gulf and Morobe.