A CARGO vessel unloading fuel and food supplies for Western Province yesterday was told to stop and berth off shore as frontliners imposed strict COVID-19 measures at the wharf and its surroundings.
This was discussed during a meeting by Western Province Health and Medical Services (WPHMS) acting Director Dr Michael Buin with the Western Provincial Government, Provincial Emergency Oversight Committee (PEOC), Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) and the National Disaster Management (NDMO) Gizo Office yesterday.
Dr Buin said this is a huge logistical challenge for frontliners who have since barricaded the road to Gizo Town, the wharf and Solomon Power station.
Dr Buin said these are fuel supplies for Solomon Power.
He said only 25,000 litres of fuel were unloaded yesterday (Friday 28th January), another 35,000 litres still remains in the vessel.
The vessel carrying the supplies is MV Plus One. The vessel’s crew were swabbed on this week.
Dr Buin said two drivers of the fuel tankers transporting fuel out from the vessel were also told to stop while the health team work to impose the strict COVID-19 measures.
“There is fear Solomon Power could run out of fuel in days,” he said.
“But we have done the first refilling of the tank that is why there is a barricade of road and locking of the town,” he adds.
Crew members of another cargo vessel, MV Ocean Joy, were also swabbed this week in Gizo.
The health director said results from samples collected from the two shipping vessels will be made known today.
With the strict COVID-19 measures in place, Dr Buin said MV Plus One should continue to unload its cargo today.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
