THE people in Sikaiana are calling on responsible authorities to urgently transport essential and medical supplies to their small atoll island in north east Malaita.
The Sikaiana House of Chiefs representative Kennedy Tuilona said it had been months since the last ship visited the island.
“The last vessel to visit the island was five months ago in 2021,” the spokesperson for the Sikaiana House of Chiefs said.
He said currently people are running low on food supply, medical supply, fuel, cash and the island is also without any medical services because of the absence its registered nurses.
He said the COVID-19 restrictions are making it difficult for them because they now need to seek permission from relevant authorities to allow a cargo vessel to visit them.
“We have forwarded the exemption request to all relevant authorities such as Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, Police Commissioner, Chairman of the Oversight Committee and the Director for National Disaster Council,” Mr Tuilona said.
He said they are requesting exemption for a cargo vessel to transport much needed supplies to the island as well as to return passengers including the island’s health personnel who are currently in Honiara.
However, he said they are yet to receive a response.
Mr Tuilona said there were concerns raised on the transmission of the COVID-19 to the island by these vessels but their people have suffered enough and the COVID-19 situation in the country is making it more difficult for them.
“The poor shipping service to the island is now prolonged by the current COVID-19 protocols but we wish to assure authorities that we, the House of Chiefs, have a plan already in place for quarantine.
“Therefore, we need to be urgently assisted with our requested,” Mr Tuilona said.
He said 90 per cent of Sikaiana’s population is fully vaccinated.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara