ONE of Auki town’s most heavily populated areas, Kwaibala road and bridge, has been closed off by a group of men who demanded that all vehicles using the road and bridge must pay before passing through.
The group claimed that they are currently doing voluntary work on rehabilitating and maintaining the deteriorating state of the Kwaibala bridge and feeder road.
The road block started a little early this week when buses, taxis and even private vehicles who did not want to pay up the fee and meet the men’s demands being sent back the way they came from and not allowed to pass.
The group demanded that those with one vehicle must pay a fee $100 whilst those with more than one vehicle to pay $150.
The Solomon Star visited the area only to witness the Kwaibala road and bridge being closed off with drums and tires.
Spokesperson for the group, Peter Baru who claimed they have authorization from the Malaita provincial government’s secretary Peter Houia, also provided a letter and agreement he claimed were signed by Mr Houia and themselves.
Mr Baru further claimed that the contract signed with Mr Houia has allowed his men to start up road work repair and also charging up vehicles according to the vehicle fees as signed in the contract.
“We were given this contract and signed the agreement with Malaita provincial secretary Peter Houia.
“The letter which we agreed on is that we carry out road repair and then charge those with one vehicle $100 and $150 for those with more than one vehicle.
“We were told by Mr Houia himself that this has been approved by the provincial government, we also have a signed letter by Mr Houia.
“Therefore these actions are legal as far as we are concerned,” Mr Baru claimed.
The group has continued to repair the road and charged vehicles for road use, giving them receipts once the charges are paid in.
However these actions have raised more eyebrows and criticism, especially with the demand and road blocking involved.
“We do not know what kind of contract Mr Baru and his employees are talking about.
“Because if they are contracted either by the national or provincial governments, then they should not be demanding fees and unnecessary charges from vehicle owners and drivers,” this was the common feedback from mostly vehicle owners on the matter.
Meanwhile attempts to talk to provincial secretary or his assistant Selwyn Vasuni were unsuccessful yesterday.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
in Auki
