By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt Hagen
More than 20,000 people in Jimi Electorate in Jiwaka Province will benefit from the airfares cost being subsidized.
In May, 2018, Jimi MP, Wake Goi, presented a K250,000 cheque to Mission Aviation Fellowship. This is the second subsidy presented to MAF to provide its service to this rural population.
The people of Jimi Electorate will pay only K65 to travel on MAF planes to Mt Hagen. Chartered flights can carry their cargoes for free, while individuals travelling will have to pay the subsidized cost.
Minister, Wake Goi said almost three quarter of the population uses airplane as their mode of transport. However, due to the recent flooding in some parts of Jimi and North Waghi electorates, more than three bridges connecting the two electorates in Jiwaka Province were washed away. This has forced the Electorate to re-subsidize the airfare cost from K120 down to K65 to allow the locals to travel out to receive services.
Goi said the total cost to the damages caused by natural disaster stands roughly at K3 Million. He said while they are looking for ways to get the funding to maintain roads and infrastructure, he is depositing another K250, 000 under the DSIP funds to MAF, so that public servants, students, and locals can be able to travel in and out of Jimi.
Meanwhile, MAF representative, Godfrey Sim said rural aviation services can reach people if only there is good state of airstrip, proper communication facilities, and availability of planes.
Image Source: MAF Papua New Guinea
