Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Guadalcanal Dr Derek Sikua has cautioned parliament over the increasing population of Giant African Snail along the Guadalcanal plains.
Speaking in parliament on Monday the Leader of the Independent Group warned the house that government must seriously do something to contain the rapid spread of this unwanted pests, as it badly affects the land and farms of people in his constituency.
Dr Sikua said while it is commendable for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to control the entry of this snail to other provinces, it is a pity that little efforts were made to eradicate this snail in Guadalcanal.
He also questioned the government on their continuous slashing of bids from MAL to combat this Giant African Snail, by the budget unit of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT).
Dr Sikua highlighted that during the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing MAL revealed that their estimates to control the spread of this pest were always reduced by the Budget unit.
He stressed that the need to address this problem in the Guadalcanal plain must be seriously looked at, as it affects the livelihood of his people, who rely on their land and farms for survival and income earning.
By AATAI JOHN
