Public motor vehicle operators in Bogia District are continuing to face serious challenges after heavy flooding earlier this year that have cut off access to the Kumil Bridge, disrupting transportation along the North Coast Road and isolating the district from Madang town.
The damage to the bridge has affected the movement of people, goods, and services, with public motor vehicle (PMV) operators saying their daily operations have been heavily impacted. Many operators are now struggling to make income and keep their vehicles in good condition due to the lack of access to proper servicing facilities in town.
PMV operators in the district say the situation is becoming more difficult each day as they try to continue their services within limited areas, while missing out on their usual routes to Madang town.
A PMV owner from Malala in Almami Local Level Government and operator of Sama Trans PMV service, Kenneth Ules Rabiv said the road disruption has placed a heavy burden on operators and the wider community.
“It is now very difficult for us to operate our PMV services. We are cut off from Madang town, and that is where we usually take our vehicles for proper servicing,” he said.
Rabiv said without access to mechanical services and spare parts, operators are concerned about the safety and reliability of their vehicles.
“How will we make money to keep our PMV business going?”
“Even when we operate, we are worried because if the vehicle breaks down, we cannot easily fix it,” he said.
He added that many PMV operators depend entirely on their vehicles to support their families, and the current situation is affecting their livelihoods.
At the same time, communities in Bogia are also feeling the impact, as transport services become limited and unreliable. The disruption is affecting the movement of fresh produce, store goods, and access to basic services, including health and education.
Rabiv is now calling on the government to step in and address the issue urgently. He stressed that the Bogia Highway is a national road and should be given priority for maintenance and repair.
He is urging leaders from Bogia and Sumkar districts, along with the Madang Provincial Government, to work together to restore access.
“Kumil Bridge is one of the three major bridges along the North Coast Road. This cut cannot remain for long because it will continue to affect all of us in Bogia,” he said.
He believes the bridge can still be repaired, noting that it has not completely collapsed and may only require backfilling and reinforcement work.
“If the government works together with the Governor and district members, they can fix it. The bridge is not totally destroyed, it can be backfilled and repaired,” he said.
Mr. Rabiv said the issue is not only affecting PMV operators but all people in Bogia who depend on the road every day.
“This is not just about us operators, it is about all the people in Bogia. We rely on this road for everything, and now we are cut off,” he said.
PMV operators and community members are now hoping for quick action from authorities to restore the road link and allow normal services to resume.
