PEOPLE on Duff, Anuta and Tikopia Islands in Temotu Province who have been badly affected by the cyclone Pam last month are demanding explanation from the Temotu National Disaster Management Office and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in Honiara why a bulk of disaster relief supplies were off loaded in Lata last week.
Paramount Chief of Duff island Noel Hatu made the call in an interview with the Solomon Star following reports that a bulk of disaster relief supplies were offloaded at Lata after the ship completed its distribution of relief supplies to these outer islands.
Mr Hatu claimed that the boat chattered by NDMO office off loaded a large number of relief supplies in Lata.
“As paramount chief of Duff Island, I would like the NDMO office in Lata and Honiara to explain to us why the boat off loaded a large number of relief supplies in Lata.
“Lata is not affected by the cyclone Pam; these reliefs supplies should be completely discharged at these disasters islands and not Lata,” Mr Hatu said.
He further claimed the distribution done by NDMO officers on these islands was unfair and people on these outer islands are demanding an explanation from NDMO immediately.
“As paramount chief in Duff islands, we call on the Lata NDMO office and Honiara to clearly explain to us why some relief supplies are being off loaded in Lata after the distribution from these islands.
“We are not happy about this because this relief supplies are meant for people affected by the recent cyclone Pam and. There are some people on these islands that need these relief supplies like agriculture, building materials and tents being off load on Lata,” Mr Hatu said.
Attempts by the Solomon Star to contact both Lata and Honiara office yesterday to get comments have been futile.
By DENVER NEWTER
