TRANSPORT operators using the domestic wharf yesterday staged a protest infront of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) head office following a change in the way entry fee is being charged.
Previously, vehicles are being charged $5 per day to enter the domestic wharf area anytime through the day to drop or pick up passengers and goods.
But on Tuesday, Ports management imposed new charging system of a $5 fee per entry. This means, every time a vehicle enters the wharf area, it must pay the $5 fee.
This has triggered frustration amongst local taxi and pick up drivers who decided to stage a protest in front of the Ports Authority area between 9am to 11am, Tuesday morning.
They demanded an explanation from SIPA management over the way it charges entry fee when vehicles enter.
A group of five men representing the taxi drivers headed by the former Member of Parliament Isaac Inoke held discussion with the Ports CEO Collin Yeo.
Mr. Inoke after the meeting addressed the frustrated drivers saying the CEO has decided to revoke the new charges and to remain with the fee of $5.00 per day.
The CEO explained to the drivers the intention to change the way it charges the fee.
“This is to protect the domestic wharf from unnecessary entry.”
He said, some vehicle owners have misused the domestic wharf as a car park, a drinking area or a dumping area which makes the place unsafe and unhealthy for customers.
He said the entrance fee of $5 per day will continue for the next three month.
Mr Yeo calls on taxi drivers to respect the area within the domestic wharf as a place to drop off and pick up passengers/cargoes and not to be used unnecessarily.
“If all the taxi drivers improve their behaviour at the wharf over the next three months, the entrance at the gate will be scrapped.
But, if they fail to improve on their behaviour, then he said, “the authority will most likely to increase the entrance free to control entry to the wharf.”
By Biriau Wilson Saeni
