Sea fares ‘costly’

 By PISAI GUMAR

INCREASING fares and freight costs over sea on the Huon Gulf coast in Morobe are limiting socio-economy activities, ward councillors say.

Councillors from 21 wards in the Morobe patrol post raised their concern after the newly purchased mv Morobe Rainforest was halted by the court.

Former Sowara ward councillor Ken Yaro questioned Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour last Friday why the vessel was stopped from operating.

At Bau-Auno ward, spokesperson Moro Sasa also asked why the   vessel was idle at Vocopoint.

“Livelihood of inland and coastline Salamaua and Morobe communities as far as Oro (Northern) border villages of Eya, Gugumi, Bowera, Mamba and Manau rely heavily on sea transport,” Sasa said.

“Delivery of infrastructural material, store goods, health and education are transported only by sea.” 

Sasa said that sea transport also provided local employment opportunities.

He said that attitude of locals was also a concern to employees of mv Bau Rainforest.

“Locals harass and intimidate seafarers and the ropes of the vessel were cut loose when she anchored at bridges in Morobe, Bau Island and at Coastal Shipping in Lae,” he said.

Lux Yese, from Sapa and Koibi Poiyoo, from Dona, told Seymour that dinghy fares were determined by distances of villages and ranged from K100 to K200.

“We can’t even afford transport fares and freight costs from what little we earn from selling betel nuts so how much do you expect us to save for future medical and education expenses?” Yese asked.

Seymour said he could not elaborate about the issues with mv Morobe Rainforest as the matter was in court but a decision was expected on Wednesday.