Paska: Govt should also be blamed

THE government is equally to blame for the sinking of mv Rabaul Queen off the coast of Morobe province, Trade Union Congress general secretary John Paska said.
“The government as well as the operator must both be held accountable for the shipping tragedy,” Paska said.
He said the national government as the regulatory body should be upholding and enforcing maritime safety at all times but failed to do so.
Paska said the cause of the sinking must be investigated.
He pointed out that the tragedy was  bound to happen because of the constant overloading of vessels without due consideration to public safety.
“It is not surprising because shipping companies have been putting the lives of the travelling public at risks all the time,” he added.
“The government must be held accountable for neglect in not enforcing maritime safety standards on boats and even small crafts operating at sea.
“The national government as the regulatory body should be upholding and enforcing maritime safety standards.”