BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
MORE than a week now and Central Islands Province (CIP) people are still waiting for their vessel of ‘Cargo supplies’ via LC ADIWAITUI.
It is understood that recent mechanical problems to travel to Honiara and the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) results of six crews on board LC ADIWAITUI testing positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) are contributing factors for the delay of cargos to be transported to CIP.
As people especially villagers are anticipating for the cargoes to be transported to the province because of ‘food shortage’ reported, CIP’s Provincial Emergency Operating Centre (PEOC) advice their people to have patience as these are not normal times.
In relation to the delay, under Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) protocols during this emergency zone lockdown period in Honiara, there are four steps that ship operators will have to go through before given the ‘green light’ to depart.
They are “Step 1: Shipping Operators need to submit application to SIMA through the Chair of the Infrastructure Sector Committee, Step 2: Director SIMA receives and endorses application, Step 3: Commissioner of Police receives application and issues the exemption and Step 4: Using the Exemption, the Director SIMA gives the permit for a vessel to sail”.
CIP’s Provincial Disaster Operation Centre (PDOC) through their PEOC has sent out an apology to the people of the province mid last week for the delay, assuring that they are working on the situation on how to address it with responsible authorities.
“Currently our PDOC and PHEOC team is working on the situation on how to address this issue with SIMSA, NHEOC and the ships management. Let us hope things will work out. Public are advised to be patient as our respective authorities are trying their best at the moment to sort this out once again and apologies for the delay,” issued PEOC.
Meanwhile, LC ADIWAITUI has already been confirmed loading ‘goods’ yesterday, Saturday 12 February, at the Point Cruz wharf as all deliveries are given at the Douglas Logistics Ranadi yard.
“Please comply so that it may not cause you inconvenience as the main port at Point Cruz wharf area is not allowed for people to move in and out of it freely at the moment during the loading process,” advised the PEOC of the province.
