WEST KWAIO constituents are mourning the death of Titus Fiika, their Member of Parliament who passed away in Honiara early on Friday morning.
His wife Judith confirmed the death to Solomon Star.
She told Solomon Star she was saddened by the level of response she received when she contacted the frontliners on Wednesday night and into early on Thursday morning.
Mrs. Fika said she called the ambulance service around midnight when her late husband was struggling. She was given a COVID-19 emergency number where a doctor would advise them on what to do.
“That number (115) simply rang out. It was not until around 10 o’clock the next morning before the ambulance arrived at the Honiara Hotel where the couple was in quarantine since arriving from Australia a week ago yesterday,” she said.
“We finally arrived at the National Referral Hospital around 10:30 on Thursday morning,” Mrs. Fiika said.
The Olssons who befriended Mr. and Mrs Fika while they were in Brisbane sent their condolences.
They described him as a “good, honest family man. Our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
“It was indeed sad news to hear from Judith that Titus is no longer with us.
We had formed a wonderful brother/sister tie with both Titus and Judith.
“We thoroughly enjoyed their company and daily story with him. It was our pleasure to visit Titus often in hospital at Springfield and to host him and Judith after he was discharged from hospital,” Mr and Mrs Olsson said in an email yesterday on hearing Mr. Fika’s passing.
The photos were taken at Point Lookout, looking north east over the Pacific Ocean towards Malaita where Titus enjoyed a restful day in the sea breeze on Stradbroke Island.
“Strangely, a sea eagle continually circled above and soared on the windy thermals for a good half hour. I said to him there your guardian eagle spirit above you” and he was bemused that I had picked up on the cultural significance of the sea eagle and smiled as the magnificent bird passed by,” the Olssons said.
“We are truly blessed that we were able to share joy and happy times together and give him his first taste of Australia – a welcome nature break from the burden of his ongoing treatment. May he rest in peace.”
By ALFRED SASAKO
Newsroom, Honiara
