14/05/2026
URGENT ASSISTANCE CALL TO AUTHORITIES AND TRUCKING COMPANIES
We are urgently calling on all trucking companies, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the responsible government ministers to seriously look into the ongoing lawlessness and dangers faced by truck drivers and crews along the Okuk Highway — especially at Daulo Pass, Kassam Pass, and parts of the highway within Goroka and Simbu Province.
This morning at Daulo Pass, a group of men ran underneath a Trasa Transport fuel tanker while it was struggling to climb uphill and illegally cut open the fuel pump outlet pipe. People then rushed in and collected free fuel from the tanker. This criminal act is extremely dangerous and could have caused a massive fire explosion, loss of lives, and destruction of property.
For many years now, truck drivers and transport workers have been victims of cargo theft, container break-ins, armed robberies, and violent attacks while serving the country under difficult road conditions. Some drivers and crews have even been stabbed and seriously injured while trying to protect company property and cargo.
Truck drivers are risking their lives every day to supply goods, fuel, and services to the Highlands and other parts of Papua New Guinea. We are serving the nation during hard times, yet our safety and security continue to be ignored.
We strongly appeal to: • Police to establish strict security operations and regular highway patrols. • Government authorities to enforce stronger control measures in hotspot areas. • Trucking companies and stakeholders to work together on driver safety and cargo protection. • Community leaders and youths to respect transport workers and stop criminal activities along the highway.
Enough is enough. The safety of drivers, crews, passengers, and company properties must become a priority before more innocent lives are lost.
