THE DELEGATION from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) led by Minister Bartholomew Parapolo made a short visit to Biche village early last week.
The aim of the visit was to see some shrines (tourism attractions) in the village and also visit the villagers after they were traumatised by a huge land slide and flash flood that hit them during the cyclone Raquel last month.
Biche village is located on the northern part of Gatokae Island.
According to reports received the recent landslide was the biggest from several landslides experienced in the past just stopped less than 2 meters from their houses.
Two houses were nearly covered as stones, trees and soil from hills behind the village moved down taking whatever on its part towards the village.
During a visits there last week, community members briefed the delegation that their village is unsafe and they are looking for relocation plans.
However there is no relocation plan in place at the moment.
The spokesperson said, discussion is underway between community leaders for the plan to relocate.
The delegation was told that their recreation area for volley ball was destroyed and their gardens being washed away.
The spokesperson said, many mothers and children are still living in fear in case of any disaster again and want to move out.
The hardworking Minister for Culture and Tourism (MCT) Bartholomew Parapolo thanked the community for allowing them to visit Biche village despite the village still being traumatised.
“My team is here purposely for site visit and to see products you have here for tourism, even though we are here without any relief supplies but God will still be with you during this challenging times,” Mr Parapolo said.
By DENVER NEWTER
