by Colleen Barilae – EM TV, Lae
People from rural parts of the Bulolo district are expected to save costs of transporting goods and medical supplies.
On its first flight yesterday, the new plane, “Spirit of Bulolo” bought by district funds will reduce store goods prices and transport cash crops out from the district.
Bulolo MP, Sam Basil says airfares will be subsidized by the district administration to make it affordable to the people.
Following the flight’s inaugural arrival, a large crowd had gathered to witness the plane’s first arrival at one of the country’s oldest airstrip.
Morobe’s Wau Airstrip will be home to the Spirit of Bulolo.
An hour past noon, the plane landed at its homeland in Bulolo.
The plane had been bought using district funds.
People had been struggling to get their fresh produce and coffee to the markets.
Over the years, people have been using poor roads to transport store goods and medical supply and teaching materials for schools.
While the plane will make it easier for transport, the district will be subsidizing ticketing and freight charges to reduce costs.
This meansa K300 ticket will be subsidized by 25 per cent.
An estimated eighty percent of PNG’s population lives in rural areas.
Like Bulolo’s Biaru and Garaina areas, the people face difficulties without roads.
The debate now, is for the Government to subsidize freight costs.
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