MVIL Board Chairman Dr. John McKup (left) handing Minister for Justice and Attorney General and Imbonggu MP Hon. Pila Niningi his certificate of registration at the newly opened Walume Customer Service Centre.

Minister for Justice and Attorney General and Imbonggu MP Hon. Pila Niningi was the first customer to renew his vehicle registration at the opening of the Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited’s (MVIL) Walume Sub-branch on 11 October 2024.

This new customer service centre will provide Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, Vehicle Registration, Driver’s License and Claims services to the people of Imbonggu District and other districts in Southern Highlands, including parts of Western Highlands, Hela and Gulf (Kikori) provinces.

The customer service centre was officially opened by MVIL Board Chairman Dr. John McKup and Minister Niningi, witnessed by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Commissioner Mr Paulus Ain and the Acting Southern Highlands Provincial Administrator Mr David Kelma. The sub-branch is situated at the Imbonggu District Headquarters, right opposite the newly built District Court House.

Dr. McKup said the successful setup and opening of the Walume Sub-branch was a result of an effective partnership between MVIL, Imbonggu District Development Authority and the Southern Highlands Provincial Government (SHPG).

“The revenue generated from the services provided by MVIL will greatly benefit the people of Southern Highlands as it will go back to the provincial government to contribute to community development,” Dr. McKup said.

MVIL Chief Operating Officer Mr Bafino Koi acknowledged Minister Niningi and the Southern Highlands Provincial Government for seeing the need to have another MVIL customer service centre at Walume to serve the increasing population. 

Mr Koi said MVIL’s Southern Highlands provincial branch at the Agiru Building in Mendi Town was closed due to renovations. Thus, the opening of Walume Sub-branch was timely.

Meanwhile, Minister Niningi told the people of his electorate that with such services, revenue would be generated for the district and eventually more essential services would follow, as long as we have the right attitude and allow for development to take place.

“Imbonggu District must take the lead because we are peaceful people. Companies and institutions are seeing this and coming to our district. These are things that we can do. You can help yourself this way. If we can bring such organizations into our district, we are on the right track,” Minister Niningi said.