PMV Operators from Gulf Province are concerned about police road blocks along the Gulf to Port Moresby Highway.
They say, police officers have been setting up road blocks along the highway, and demanding PMV drivers and crews pay dubious spot fines.
This morning, they turned out in numbers at the Police Internal Investigation Directorate, in the Nation’s Capital to raise their concerns.
“Last week Saturday, they stopped eight of our PMV trucks at Daisama. They confiscated their licenses and demanded money,” Gulf PMV Operators Association Chairman Paul Paiva said.
According to the PMV operators, this has been an ongoing issue.
They said police are setting up unnecessary road blocks along the highway charge unnecessary penalty fees.
A PMV crew said, they pay up to K300, just to get past each road block in one trip, and arrive with nothing at their destination.
The chairman on behalf of all PMV operators, called on the police internal investigation directorate to address this issue.
Internal Investigation Unit Officer in Charge, Chief Inspector Charles Winuan assured the PMV operators that they will look into this issue.
“We will investigate you complains.” The Chief Inspector said.
“If you have evidence, the law will take its course, the police act will take its course, and those responsible must be answerable for their actions,” he said.
He added that some officers setting up such road blocks are not real police officers, but police impersonators.
He said, police officers are not allowed to charge unnecessary penalty fees to the travelling public.
By Rayon Lakingu, EMTV News, Port Moresby
