A MALAITA Provincial Assembly member has urged the government to consider building a public toilet facility in Auki town.

Aloysius Magi, the Member of Parliament for Ward 13 and Minister for Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Trade, made the call during the sine die motion of the revised 2024/2025 budget meeting at the Malaita Provincial Assembly in Auki earlier last month.

Magi highlighted that Auki is a busy business hub and a gateway for visitors, with people arriving from nearby villages daily.

He noted that many visitors face difficulties finding a place to relieve themselves due to the lack of public toilet facilities in the town.

“The absence of public toilets in Auki has led some people to use other public areas, which poses a health risk to the environment,” Magi said.

He pointed out that this issue is especially challenging for villagers from the northern and eastern parts of the island.

 These visitors often arrive in Auki late at night and, with limited options for rest, are forced to wait in front of shops before catching transport back to their villages.

Magi emphasized that these villagers, who sometimes spend hours waiting, often struggle to find accessible restroom facilities in the town.

“The government and the Ministry of Health must recognize the importance of a public toilet facility in Auki for the well-being of the community and its visitors,” he said.

Currently, the only public toilet in Auki is located at the Auki main market and is only open during the daytime.

By SOLOMON LOFANA

Solomon Star, Auki