Premier of Western Province David Gina has called onto the National Government and the Oversight Committee not to allow foreign vessel MV Vimaru Pearl to return to Western Province for loading.
This came after the vessel recorded a positive COVID-19 case involving a crew during its 21 days Quarantine at Sea (QAS) procedure near Gizo, Western Province early this month.
After the third test, one of the crews was tested positive as a result the vessel traveled to Honiara for further quarantined and tests.
Premier David Gina in an interview with the paper on Monday said; his government do not allow MV Vimaru Pearl to enter the waters of Western Province.
“I did not want the ship to return because we heard that the Government wants to send the ship back to the Western province to do another loading at Ringi, Kolombangara,” he said.
He therefore calls no the National Government and the National Oversight Committee to stop the vessel from sailing back to Western Province.
“They must halt the entry of the ship into our province.
“As a Premier of Western Province the safety for our people is very important to avoid community transmission. This is a very huge concern,” Premier Gina said.
He said its important to follow the COVID-19 health protocols in this country so that the country can be safe.
“Now COVID-19 is risky given the Delta Variant now spreading fast and is more dangerous.”
Premier Gina added if the Government wants to send the vessel back to West, they can still arrange another vessel to come to Western Province (WP).
He warned; if the ship is allowed to travel back to Western Province, he won’t allow any of the stevedores to board the ship.
“We will inform all the stevedore operators not to board the vessel to conduct stevedoring, if Government still wants to send the vessel back to West for loading,” the Premier warned.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
