Naru warns safety council

 By PISAI GUMAR

MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru has warned the National Road Safety Council to stop collecting fees from motorists at checkpoints and conduct more awareness on road safety.

He told provincial lands transport board and traffic officials to stop the council officers setting up road blocks and collecting fees.

“This so-called NRSC should conduct road safety awareness to private vehicle owners and PMV operators including schools and colleges, about traffic rules and regulations instead of conducting road blocks and collecting fees,” he said.

He said the council must understand what it roles and responsibilities and not duplicate the duties of the land transport board.

No comments could be obtained from NRSC yesterday. Naru reminded the board of its duty to remove un-roadworthy vehicles and illegally parked vehicles.

He said the transport board generated K15 million in revenue last year and collected K5 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Naru told the board to enforce the small craft policy legislation to ensure boat owners and operators were licensed and had the required safety kits in their vessels. 

“Many human lives and properties are lost because owners failed to take precautions. We need to ensure that the safety of travellers on dinghies is protected.” Land transport board official Waka Daimon said they generated K2 million a week although they still lacked resources to conduct their work effectively.