Trappe journeys from selling fuel to owning a service station

FROM selling fuel drums to now operating a fuel service station, local businessman Sai Trappe says it was all through God, hard work, commitment and perseverance.
Trappe, owner and operator of the new Total service station along Waigani drive, Port Moresby, said he started his business by selling fuel drums that were transported from Lae.
“I started my business in 1992 with buying 80 fuel drums worth K8,416 in Lae, and they were delivered to me in Mt Hagen,” he said.
Trappe later expanded into hotels and trucking services, and has now ventured into operating a service station.
“I started with selling fuel drums, then I went into the hotel business, which is also located in Mt Hagen,” he said.
“Then I expanded to Port Moresby.
“This service station is my first investment in Port Moresby.
“I travel down to Port Moresby for a visit and saw that this piece of land was vacant.
“I thought to myself that this is a convenient place to have a service station.
“Thanks to the National Capital District Commission and the Governor Powes Parkop, I secured this land.
“The construction of the service station took about eight months to complete.
“It’s a compact service station, so we will provide fast service.”
The service station has four pumps and eight hoses: four petrol and four diesel.
It also has a mini mart and would employ about 20 people.
It opens till 10pm.
“My business broke down for 15 years due to other reasons, and from nowhere, God blessed me and my business flourished again,” Trappe said.
“You see, when your heart is right with God and His people, He will bless you in ways you can never imagine.
“My family, both immediate and extended, and I will be forever thankful for that.
“I have survived competition and have experience in fuel business so I will see how it go.”
The Total Oil service station at Waigani is expected to be opened this week.
Trappe is from Baiyer, Western Highlands, and is married and has seven children.
He has a bachelor of business management from a university in Melbourne, Australia, and worked with an accounting firm in Melbourne before moving back to Mt Hagen in 1992.