The offloading of various materials on Thursday (27th) evening at the Gallego Company log pond near Alligator has raised a grave concern for Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG).
A statement from the GPG yesterday said, the deemed ‘suspicious’ activities were reported to GPG by some residents or observers living around the area, Friday afternoon.
According to the observers, the practices have been going on for quite sometimes especially during late evenings. This prompted them to investigate the activities.
The observers explained “we have been observing the activities for a while. The company used to do offloading throughout the nights lately. Every time when the logs were taken onboard, huge loads of cargos were then offloaded to the shore”.
“Normally, we observe that only logs were loaded onboard every time, unless there are heavy machines to be offloaded for logging purposes by the company, but what we’re seeing should raise some questions, that’s why we approached the site out of curiosity” the observers recalled.
When the observers arrived at the log pond site and inquired about the materials, the workers told them that the cargoes or materials were to build the 2023 Pacific Games.
“They told us that those cargoes or materials are purposely for the 2023 Pacific Games, so we ask “shouldn’t the materials be detached at the Ports area, rather than outside Honiara if they meant to be for the Games?”” they asked.
“Were we told that they’ll be offloading three more huge loads of materials later in the night. They later told us to leave the area” the observers stated.
As a result, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government then sent a request to the RSIPF yesterday to further investigate this matter in order to curb illegal – should there be any – activities. GPG requested that it needs some clarification on that matter.
GP Media understands any such shipping activities must be in compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code through the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA).
Unless these materials being loaded at the Gallego Company’s log pond were transferred inter-province within our Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) after being cleared off by SIPA prior to the offloading.
Therefore, if that’s the case then SIPA needs to inform GPG before hand due to its foreshore’s jurisdictions. Otherwise, this might be deemed as avoidance and negligence under the ISPS Code, and reluctance to pay certain revenue fees to SIPA.
The rise of jetty constructions within Guadalcanal Province’s jurisdictions – foreshores – needs further clarifications as well. One such jetty is near the Mamara-Tasivarongo-Mavo development site. At the moment, it is unclear whether these materials have been checked by SIPA or not.
GPG will pursue these issues under its relevant ordinances and national laws once its Law Enforcement Team is established sometimes soon.
