PEOPLE of Sikaina Island in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) are calling on the national government to address the issue of inadequate shipping services along the Honiara-MOI route.
Inadequate shipping services to MOI is regarded as one of the longstanding challenges faced by the Sikaiana Community and all other communities in the far-flung region of MOI, causing many difficulties for residents.
Chief Leonard Semaru told the Solomon Star from Sikaiana Island on Friday that the national government must urgently resolve the issue of inadequate shipping services to MOI.
He said, the lack of shipping service along the Honiara-MOI route has denied Sikaiana residents of medical supplies, basic food supplies, educational material supplies and other basic services and the national government is obliged to address the problem.
“Vital supplies are running low, and essential services are being compromised due to irregular shipping schedules.
“The current state of our shipping services is untenable and has placed a heavy burden on our community. Our island Sikaiana is in the middle of the ocean and all our basic necessities such as food, medical supplies and educational materials are shipped from Honiara. We are in short supply of these basic necessities and our wellbeing is compromised,” Chief Semaru said.
Like other islands of MOI, Sikaiana island with its small population and limited resources, heavily relies on regular shipment of food and other basic goods, medicines and medical supplies to meet their daily survival and healthcare needs.
‘’It is almost eight months now since no ship came to our island and we are concerned that this situation will adversely affect us.
‘’We are facing a dire situation where basic medical supplies are diminishing due to unreliable shipping services. This leaves us with a severe shortage of vital supplies, including medical drugs, putting lives of residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, at risk,” the chief added.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star Honiara
