The registered landowner of the Kohimarama and old Kesao bridges in North West Guadalcanal is calling on the government to convene an urgent roundtable discussion to resolve the ongoing access crisis.

This follows the disconnection of the Kohimarama Bridge after recent heavy rain and flooding, which has left students from Selwyn College unable to return to school. Church officials, farmers, and residents—including women and men—have also been unable to travel to Honiara.

Landowner Bodo Dettke said the situation has caused severe hardship for his people, who continue to wait for repairs to be carried out.

He said he understands that the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet are unhappy with him for reasons unknown, but stressed that the suffering of local communities must take priority.

“Life is miserable right now for my people, and it is the government’s responsibility to restore these infrastructures as soon as possible,” Dettke said.

He said that as the registered landowner, he is willing to meet and discuss the matter, but claims there has been no effort from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or the Prime Minister’s Office to initiate dialogue.

“I am willing to sit down and meet, but it seems the Minister for MID and the Prime Minister’s Office have a problem calling me to a roundtable discussion to urgently resolve this issue,” he said.

Dettke warned that if no action is taken, he may be forced to seek legal action.

“This is the last place we want to end up—in court,” he said.

Meanwhile, MID in a statement on Thursday regarding the Kohi (Tanaeba) Bridge said: “Reconnection works are imminent; a contractor will be on-site as soon as administrative paperwork is finalized.”