Trucking firm claims licence issue not right

 By PISAI GUMAR

A LOCALLY-owned trucking company in Lae has accused the provincial lands transport board of issuing heavy truck licences willy-nilly.

Coastal Freighters, the only Morobean-owned trucking company, said the board was issuing licenses to whoever it wished.

Company owner Marie Seymour also claimed that shops and wholesalers whose core business was not trucking were allowed to freight cargo outside Morobe.

“Their involvement sabotages business opportunities for small trucking companies whose core business is trucking and freighting cargo,” she said.

Seymour is also concerned about the use of public road as parking areas for some big companies.

“It is unbecoming, obstructive and a traffic hazard when reputable companies use public roads to park trucks, trailers and containers,” Seymour said.

“Half the road is occupied, obstructing traffic and is a hazard while the Lae city council does nothing.”

She said the city council and traffic department must ensure that these companies had proper yards to park their trucks.

Provincial lands transport licensing officer Koeta Ponga said they dealt with issuing licenses to heavy trucks operating in the province.

National road transport board first assistant secretary Nelson Lari said they issued licences based on two provisions including intra and inter licences. 

The board meets every quarter to screen applicants before approving inter licences.

“Based on submissions, individuals that has one, two or more vehicles were issued inter-licences to freight cargoes to the highlands or Madang,” Lari said.

But Seymour said fairness in the trucking business required a standard policy guideline to allow who should have intra-licence and who should be involved in inter-licences.

Lari said wholesalers applied for inter-licences to freight cargoes to sub-branches outside Morobe.

Ponga confirmed that parking trucks and trailers on public roads was illegal but needed someone to enforce the law.

Ends