Acting Chief Secretary to the National Government Mr. Ivan Pomaleu OBE, has clarified on specific functions of two concerned agencies of government and issues surrounding the registration, licensing and insurance requirements of the road transport sector.
Chief Secretary Pomaleu while speaking to media during a press conference clearly explains the mandatory functions of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) and the Road Transport Authority (RTA) on Friday 08th of August, 2025 in Port Moresby, National Capital District.
This announcement follows the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament earlier this week, which prompted the Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu brokering a formal agreement between MVIL and the RTA to implement immediate interim arrangements.
Mr. Pomaleu said under the new plan, MVIL will take over vehicle registration and driver license functions as a delegate of the RTA, beginning Monday, 11th August 2025. This measure comes amid mounting public frustration over long queues, service downtimes, and a lack of clarity about where and how to access essential vehicle services.
“The public deserves certainty and efficiency in how these services are delivered. This arrangement restores order and reinforces our government’s commitment to serve the people better,” he said.
Further he clarified that for Delegation & Oversight – MVIL will operate under a formal delegation from RTA for an initial period of six months, during which RTA will retain regulatory oversight.
“A review is scheduled at the three-month mark to access whether RTA is ready to retake full operational control,” he said.
The Chief Secretary further stressed that during this period, all revenue from the registrations and licensing will be recognized as RTA income, while MVIL will recover its operational costs under a negotiated service fee arrangement.
In addition, Mr. Pomaleu explained that MVIL will maintain existing fees, compliance requirements, and service levels, ensuring no disruption to the public.
“Service points in Port Moresby will remain operational under MVIL, providing a one-stop shop experience for drivers and vehicle owners. Hence, should RTA develop a robust operational system and wish to provide services directly, which MVIL has agreed to delegate CTP insurance functions to RTA under the same one-stop shop model, ensuring a seamless transition and service experience for the public,” he said.
The Chief Secretary also explained that for Legal Disputes – as part of the agreement, all legal proceedings between MVIL and RTA related to the control of registration functions are to be withdrawn immediately.
Chief Secretary has directed that comprehensive date reports – including enforcement actions, revenue collections, financial statements and feedback – must be submitted by 15th November 2025, ahead of further decisions, including the possible restructuring of roadblock operations in the city.
Mr. Pomaleu has commended the leadership of both MVIL and RTA for prioritizing national interest and public service.
“This is what the people expect from us -agencies working together to fix problems, and not fight over them. We are restoring trust, efficiency, and coordination,” he said.
Those who were present in this media conference include; Acting Chief Secretary, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu, Government Officials, Chief Executive Officer of MVIL, Mr. Michael Makap, RTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Avira, representatives from both RTA and MVIL and media personnel.
APPROVED BY:
Mr. IVAN POMALEU, OBE
Acting Chief Secretary