Foreign couple call for justice, truthfulness
SOLOMON LOFANA
In Auki
A foreign couple who operates Hilltop Training Institute in Auki, Malaita province has called for justice and Truthfulness from Fair west shipping company – owned by Member of Parliament (MP) for Marovo Constituency.
This comes after their properties went missing on-board MV Fair Lady during its rout from Honiara to Auki on the 31st of January 2019.
The missing items which include three suitcases and a drum valued at SBD$9,000 went missing on Tuesday 31 January, during its Honiara-Auki trip.
“On Tuesday 31 January 2019 at 4:30 pm, we handed three suitcases and a drum of paint to the clerks department of MV Fair Lady, to be transported to Auki from Honiara.
“They assured us that they will keep them safe on board and deliver them upon arrival,” it was stated.
Unfortunately, several items were stolen from the three suitcases while on board, the Institute’s owners told the Sunday Star.
“The stolen items are; welding machine, Boss weld inverter DC Arc welder which valued at $4,200, Makita belt sanding machine valued at $3,800, and ladies clothing and shoes valued at $1,000.
“Therefore, we hereby hold the Fair West Shipping Company responsible for the theft of these items as they were handed to their dishonest crew members,” they added.
The case was reported to Auki police but there is still no retrieval of the properties and no arrest were made.
Masoud Aliakbari (complainant) told Sunday Star that he had sent an email to the owner of the vessel, which was operated under Fair West Shipping after the incident.
The content of the email was to inform the owner that they are responsible for the missing items.
To this day, there was no positive response being received.
In a February report published by the Solomon Star, the Hilltop Training Institute for that matter demanded the following actions from the Fair West Shipping Company;
• either to reimburse Hilltop Training Institute immediately to the value of the stolen goods at $9,000, or
• goods to be returned immediately as they were believed to be stolen by crew members from the suitcases, and
• Sack the dishonest crew members immediately
Few weeks ago Mr Aliakbari and his wife travelled on board MV Fair lady and noticed that the entire crew of the Fair lady has been changed.
They were then told that the previous crew members were terminated.
However they stated that they have absolutely no doubt about their properties that went missing on board of Fair lady ship few months ago.
“My wife and I have absolutely no doubt about what actually happened to our goods on board the vessel.”
“We are still asking the owner of the company to consider remedy the situation by paying compensation as was requested.
“By doing so, you will show real commitment to uphold justice,” the unsatisfied Aliakbari stated.
The couple said they also wondered, if the new crew members have been provided with any training in customer service and being honest.
They are also concerned about proper uniform for Ship crews so that passengers can properly identify the crew.
Attempts to contact the Fair West Shipping Company Management for comments yesterday were not successful.
However, comments are being sought from them.
