WITH the rapid spread of the African giant snail in Honiara and few provincial centres, fears of the possible spread of the snails in Makira province has sparked concerns among locals there.
This came following reports of the shipment of a heavy bulk of machinery to do upgrading of roads in Makira, including the Kirakira township.
Locals have questioned the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) whether they did a thorough risk assessment check on the machines before they were being shipped over to Makira.
“Recent news of the discoveries of the giant snails in Western and Malaita provinces is a serious concern,” resident of Kirakira said.
“We now in fear that the earth moving equipment mobilized by the Fair-Trade Company early this month to do periodic road upgrades in Makira, may possibly bring the snails to our shores,” he added.
“It will be very serious if the MID did not apply a risk assessment and possible quarantine procedures applied to the contracts issued, as well as physically inspecting the equipment prior to leaving for Makira.”
They further questioned that, should an outbreak on the spread of the snails be declared who will be held responsible as well as harbour any cost associated with controlling and eradicating the pest.
“If the pest cannot be controlled in Honiara right under the nose of the government, then how can an outbreak in Makira be contained?” one farmer questioned.
He added if an outbreak is declared in the province, it will surely put the people of Makira at risk of food shortage given that 99 percent of its people are dependent on subsistence agriculture farming.
Meanwhile, the concerned Makirans are calling on the government to seriously look at inter provincial quarantine protection measures including the control and check on all earth moving equipment by logging companies and private contract firms.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
