Business houses in Northeast Choiseul continue to struggle as irregular and unreliable shipping services disrupt the flow of goods and threaten the survival of local businesses.
Local traders report frequent shipping delays and limited cargo space, making it difficult to maintain regular stock levels.
Essential goods such as rice and store supplies often arrive months late, leaving shelves empty and customers frustrated.
A local business owner in Northeast Choiseul, Mr Jimmy Galo, has strongly voiced his concerns, saying the poor shipping service forced him to relocate his business to Taro in order to survive.
“The shipping service to Northeast Choiseul is not reliable at all. Sometimes, we are informed that a vessel is coming, but it does not arrive for weeks. When that happens, my business can not operate properly,” he said.
He adds that the uncertainty of shipping schedules caused serious financial losses and damaged customer trust.
“When goods don’t arrive on time, customers think you are not serious,” he explained.
He said that rising freight costs also worsened the situation for business owners and consumers.
“Because ships are few, freight charges are high. At the end of the day, it is the ordinary people who suffer because goods prices go up,” he stated.
According to Mr Galo, relocating his business to Taro was a difficult decision but a necessary one.
“I did not want to move, but without a reliable shipping service, there was no future for my business in the northeast. Moving to Taro was the only option left,” he explained.
He said that more businesses are now relocating to Taro, while others are forced to close down due to poor shipping service.
Furthermore, small businesses that form the backbone of the local economy in Northeast Choiseul are among the hardest hit, as most depend entirely on sea transport to receive supplies from Honiara and other centres.
However, South Choiseul has experienced an increase in shipping services as business activities improve, while the Northeast region remains stagnant.
Meanwhile, business operators are now calling on shipping companies and relevant authorities to urgently address the issue by improving vessel schedules and ensuring consistent services to remote parts of Choiseul Province.
By GEHAZI SEKO
Solomon Star stringer, Taro
