Roadside seller obtains loan and purchases PMV

A roadside black market fuel seller has become the third person in Hela Province to obtain a loan from the People’s Micro Bank in Tari and purchase a PMV truck.

A proud Simai Tomiape from Piripu Village in the Tari Pori District decorated his vehicle and stood in front of the bank to thank the management for their assistance and a group photo with them.

He told NBC News that he had been selling fuel for K100 and K150 respectively for three years before obtaining the loan to assist in purchasing the vehicle.

Mr Tomiape says during the three-year period he had been selling fuel, he had also been lending money to people which they repaid with interest.

After saving enough money, he visited the People’s Micro Bank to obtain a loan to add onto what he had to purchase the vehicle.

" I did my first black market fuel sales near Tari town, the yellow container for K100 and the bigger one for K150. I have been selling fuel for close to 3 years now, " Mr Tomiape said

He explained that his relatives from the Tanda clan respected and assisted him during his times of struggle and he named the vehicle “Tanda Nice” as the achievement was his Tanda clan’s pride.

"I am very happy, I had to name the vehicle after my clan in the Tari Pori District" Tomiape added.

People’s Micro Bank Trainee Senior Customer Service Officer Jossy Linus said Mr Tomiape had opened an account with the bank since its establishment few years ago and was a regular customer.

She said he is the third person to purchase a PMV through the support from the bank.

"Since the bank opened up in Tari, Simai opened an account and has been saving money. The dyna truck was purchased through his savings with the assistance from the bank through a loan.

"This is the third loan the bank has approved in assisting SME entrepreneurs here in Tari, Ms Linus said.