MVIL staff with ABG representatives during the formalities at Kukul Beach Front Club in Buka.

The Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) has opened a new customer service centre in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).

The new centre will provide Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, vehicle registration, issuance of driver’s license and Claims services to people of Buka and AROB as a whole.

MVIL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Makap, in his speech during the commissioning of the new office, reminded vehicle owners that by law they were required to take up CTP insurance so when they are at fault and cause death or injury to other road users they are covered.

“By taking up CTP insurance cover with MVIL, MVIL assumes the liability on behalf of the vehicle owner and settles any claim against the vehicle owner,” Mr Makap said.

He stressed the need for all concerned stakeholders such as the Provincial Traffic Registry Office, Traffic OIC, Road Traffic Authority (RTA) and MVIL to work closely to address issues of unregistered vehicles and unlicensed drivers. 

“Enforcement is the key to ensure only road worthy vehicles that are registered and insured are on public roads and are driven by licensed drivers, road accidents are minimized and the public has access to CTP insurance compensation when deceased or injured,” Mr Makap said.

He commended the efforts of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and RTA in AROB in ensuring this happened, and said MVIL was ready to support these initiatives. 

Meanwhile, ABG care-taker Chief Secretary Ms. Esther Usurup urged motor vehicle owners to abide by the insurance and registration processes set out by MVIL.

She acknowledged MVIL’s presence in AROB saying the current partnership between the ABG and MVIL would continue into the future, especially now that the Claims administration function has been decentralized, hence, customers can be served at the new customer service centre.

She said the establishment of the new service centre enforced the governance arrangement between the ABG and MVIL. The opening of the new office will see improved customer service access and experience.

MVIL Buka Team Leader Mr. Fabian Rabiano said he was extremely grateful to the MVIL Management for hearing his plea for a new office, adding it would allow them to effectively serve customers.

This event took place on Wednesday 7 February 2024 in the presence of Mr. Makap, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Bafino Koi, Executive Manager Customer Service Division Mr. Avi Hubert, staff from Buka and Port Moresby, and senior representatives from the ABG.