Dear Editor - I'd like to respond to an article regarding the above subject in
your issue number 4709 24/11/2011.
But before commenting further
on that particular article let us look back to the beginning of the issue.
The bechdemer issue has been
an ongoing matter between the Ontong java people, mainly because the low lying
islands of Ontong Java depends only on sea resources for income.
This problem has not been
solved for the rural people of Ontong java and the Solomon since then. The
question is why is it so difficult to lift the ban?
Then came the need to extend
the ban by the communities of Roa, Noella and Marau. This request was after the
survey, yet the question which might be raised here before reacting positively
to their request is, did they or the two communities respect the ban during the
bechdemer ban period? I hope not.
The problems and challenges faced
by the rural people of Ontong java is yet to be solved by relevant authorities.
Mind you it is not only the rural people of Ontong java waiting for the lifting
of the ban, but the whole rural population of Solomon islands who respected the
ban-period, now awaiting their chance to get income, like others in the
communities of ROA, Noella and Marua who have already had their bechdemers sold
during the ban period.
I have seen the demand to
lift the ban by the Ontong java as very critical. Critical in the sense that it
is about development, survival based on their isolation. Can’t our leaders lend
them ears and listen, like they listen and have great concern for some millions
of dollars compensation demand.
My honorable prime minister
and cabinets, it is the rural people crying from their leaf huts, Women,
children are affected. It is the very same people you promised to assist in
order to sit in the honorable house in August 2010.
In my own view about raising
the living standard of all the people of Solomon Islands, basically it will
only happen if the people of Solomon Islands has surplus in income and since
bechdemer has a good buying price, it is one commodity that can stimulate that.
The rural people will be very
happy, ignoring the usual dependency from assistance coming from wantoks and
the honorable if the ban is lifted.
I also saw the demand to lift
the ban of bechdemer not so serous compared to the damages and effects caused
by ongoing logging activities which will see us by 2015 have no tress and
forest to log and caused a lot of damage to our environment.
So my good leaders do not ignore
what is very important to the lives of people. It is dealing with lives.
Similarly, put aside your own
interests and the interests of your business partners. The rural people
interests first and you will see that you will not be disturbed by people
wanting assistance.
To all my good leaders in the
government or opposition, you will meet very soon and my hope is that you
should be discussing this issue at the top level.
It is not the problem for the Malaita outer island member of parliament to solve, all of you should be responsible for all of us in the Solomon islands, let us pray and hope that our leaders give us more options to choose from in looking for income to meet our daily needs.
Stephen Kole
Nagolau village
Isabel Provice
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