TEMOTU VATUD constituency will soon have a new ship by end of this year or early next year to serve the entire constituency.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Temotu VATUD Constituency Freda Tuki Soriacomua announced this at Vanikoro fortnight ago.
The ship will serve the constituency providing services for business people and passengers.
A proposal for the ship has been submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) and has been assured by government that Temotu vatud constituency new ship will be granted.
“I have already submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development to buy a boat to serve our constituency.
“By the end of this year or early next year we should have the new ship that would serve our islands in Temotu province,” she said.
She said Temotu outer islands such as Duff,Utupua,Vanikoro,Tikopia and Anuta have the potential in agriculture, tourism and fishing businesses that can contribute in the economy of this country.
“We have the potential in business activities that can contribute to the economy of this country through our coconut, cocoa, tourism and fishing industries.
“But one of our problem that hinders us to contribute in the development of this country is the shipping problem. Therefore by having this new ship it should alleviate the problem that our islands have been facing over the past years,” she said.
She urged people of Vanikoro to work closely with her constituency office once the new ship arrives.
“I know once this ship arrives it would be a challenging matter for us but I want to encourage every one of you here to work closely with our constituency office. Vanikoro you have big landmass and untouched resources that are untapped.
“Therefore this ship would be here to benefit you very much in terms of transporting your produce here to Honiara or Lata,” Ms Soriacomua said.
Those who have attended the gathering have expressed their gratitude and have acknowledged theMP for her plan for buying the new ship for the constituency.
“This is one of the biggest achievements we would have for our people from our MP and a history for us here once the ship arrives.
“We have suffered for so long when it comes to shipping and transporting our produce from here to Honiara because of shipping problem in the province.
“Therefore we are thankful to the MP with her plan to buy this new ship,” a number of people in Vanikoro uttered this after the announcement.
By DENVER NEWTER
