Demand removal of general manager Ian Vasula
WORKERS of Isabel Development Company (IDC) have gone on strike since Monday in support of their demand for the removal of general manager Ian Vasula.
An IDC insider revealed this to the Solomon Star on Thursday.
The action has left the company’s three passenger and cargo vessels stuck in Honiara.
One of the ships, MV Ortega aborted its scheduled trip to Buala and Kia yesterday, while MV Isabella and MV Estrella were seen anchored off the Kukum area.
Mr Vasula, who was appointed only recently, confirmed the action of his staff, but declined to comment.
He said the company’s Board of Directors will meet the striking workers today about the situation.
“I hope the board will make a public statement after the meeting,” Mr Vasula said.
IDC’s managing director, Chief Dennis Lulei, could not be reached for comments.
The insider said if the situation is sorted after today’s meeting, they will resume their service next week.
IDC was one of the successful companies owned by the people of Isabel.
Meanwhile, passengers from Isabel who got stranded because of the strike action are calling on the IDC management to sort their issue quickly so that services can resume.
One of the passengers told the Solomon Star a number of them who were in town only for a few days have now been stranded in Honiara.
“Our call is for the IDC management to quickly resolve the strike action and get its ships back into service,” he said.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
