LACK of reliable shipping services remains a problem for communities and villagers in Choiseul Province.
This was raised by a private businessman Jones Pabulu in an interview with the Solomon Star last week.
Mr Pabulu who operates Simbe Travelers Homestay in North East Choiseul said, at the moment only one boat is serving the province and communities.
“My people depend very much on MV Nuatabu which is currently being operated by Lauru Shipping Limited.”
The cargo boat transport passengers and cargoes to both sides of the province, North and South Choiseul each month.
“One month the boat services the north side and the other month the south side. And its a challenge facing many of our people who wants to engage in business activities,” he said.
He said the villagers depend on MV Nuatabu to transport their timbers, copra, seaweed and other products to Honiara for the markets.
“Because of this shipping challenge, many of the local villagers also use the barge operated by logging companies to transport their timbers to Honiara,” he said.
Two of the ships owned by Lauru Shipping Ltd, MV San Marcos and MV Lauru 1 no longer operates.
When the Solomon Star traveled through the Rob Roy passage in the South East coast of Choiseul early last week, the two ships can be seen berthing in front of a village.
They looked rusty and old and its likely that would their final resting place.
Apart from MV Nuatabu other privately owned ships are serving the provincial capital of Taro.
By MOFFAT MAMU
SOLOMON STAR, GIZO
