Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today addressed concerns raised in Parliament by Oro Governor Hon. Gary Juffa regarding the recent transfer of vehicle registration and related functions from the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) to the Road Traffic Authority (RTA), stating he has issued clear instructions for the Vehicle Registration function to be restored to MVIL.
During Question Time in Parliament this morning, Governor Juffa raised a series of questions concerning the recent decision to move certain functions to the RTA, which has caused public and corporate inconvenience and frustration across the country.
In response, Prime Minister Marape confirmed that he is aware of the growing concerns both from the public and from within Government circles, including his own caucus.
“I am absolutely aware of the public sentiments, including from our own caucuses, on the inconveniences that have been caused with the latest threat of functions being moved back to RTA,” Prime Minister Marape said. “I have given instructions that the functions — especially vehicle registration — be returned to MVIL.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged the “pertinent hassle in the name of road safety” caused by the confusion over responsibilities between the two entities, and stated that in today’s technologically advanced environment, collaboration between RTA and MVIL must be improved to enhance efficiency and ensure safer roads.
“I think in this day and age of technology, a working relationship between MVIL and RTA would uplift the standards of vehicle inspection — especially at the point of inspection and at the point of registry — in respect to safety and road worthiness,” he said.
PM Marape further clarified that MVIL had not formally relinquished these functions, and the assumption of powers by RTA was a result of legal interpretations.
“MVIL never released those functions. It was assumed in the operation of law. But because RTA is responsible for road transport, we will certainly restore vehicle registration back to MVIL so they continue as the vehicle registry hub,” he said.
In a firm directive, the Prime Minister called on the RTA and the Chief Secretary’s Office to immediately meet and resolve the issue in a manner that prioritises public convenience and administrative efficiency.
“Through this public statement, I ask the RTA and the Chief Secretary’s Office to meet and ensure that the functions that need to go back — especially pertaining to vehicle registration — are restored back to MVIL,” he stated.
Prime Minister Marape also provided some background to the creation and purpose of RTA, saying the agency was originally established as a supervising body for the continued maintenance of roads in Papua New Guinea. However, he acknowledged that due to the country’s unique challenges with road-user pay systems and public capacity to pay, the utility of such agencies must be carefully reviewed.
“It is a creation of law that is really like an appendix to other parts of Government instruments,” PM Marape said. “We are reviewing all structures of Government, and RTA is under strong consideration — either for amalgamation, redundancy, or to focus only on functions where it adds value, rather than assume duties that create more impediments.”
The Prime Minister concluded by thanking Governor Juffa for raising the matter on behalf of the people and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to listen to public concerns and improve service delivery across all sectors.
“The concerns are valid, and I assure the House (Parliament) and our people that action is being taken. We must always ensure that Government systems are structured to serve the public efficiently, not to create more burden.”