TRANSPORT service providers in North Malaita and farmers are calling on responsible authorities to fix the long north road which they say has deteriorated badly.
Andrew Kiri said some sections of the lengthy road are in dangerous state and needs immediate repair.
“There is a 15 kilometer section from Kwaitafu to Afufu that is beyond access. That part of the road is really in a poor state and must be fixed.
“There are other portions including bridges that need urgent attention.
“It is really difficult for transport owners but they have no choice,” Mr Kiri said.
He said the north road serve tens of thousands of people from West Kwara’ae to where the road ends close to the Sulufou Island.
“Imagine the huge population that depends on this road. Authorities must not turn a blind eye on this concern.”
He said farmers are victims because transport owners sometimes are reluctant to provide the service due to the bad condition of the road.
He said many farmers cannot move their copra and cocoa produces because they can create truckloads that transport owners refuse to accept.
“This in turn affected poor farmers who depend on these commodities to earn money for school fees and other needs.”
Mr Kiri said surprising enough, four constituencies namely West Kwara’ae, North Malaita, Mbaegu Asifola and Lau Mbaelelea depend on the north road, but still no remedies were forthcoming.
By LUCIO SANGA
In Auki