BY SAMIE WAIKORI
LC Temotu will soon provide maritime shipping services to the people of Temotu province.
The Landing Craft was in the country, but wasn’t operational due to financial challenges.
Fortunately, the Temotu provincial government is working on the matter and the vessel is said to soon provide shipping services to the people of Temotu.
Premier of Temotu province, Stanley Tehiahua confirmed this at the province’s 42nd Second Appointed Day celebrations in Lata, Temotu province, last week.
“Despite ongoing financial challenges with LC Temotu, our government was able to repatriate the vessel to Solomon Islands.
“It is now in operation and service on trial arrangement; providing a critical lifeline to communities through maritime transport and services,” he said.
The premier said shipping is one of the logistical challenges the province faces due to its remoteness and unique geography.
“Temotu is made up of remote, scattered islands that span a vast maritime area. This geographical setting creates immense logistical difficulties for services delivery and transportation.
“The lack of reliable and consistent shipping services further compounds this challenge, leaving many of our communities isolated and undeserved.
“I want to emphasize that this situation is not merely an inconvenience – it is a serious development issue.
“Yet, our provincial government’s ability to address this is limited, as key functional powers remain centralized under national government,” he said.
The premier also mentioned that decisions such as discontinuation of the National Shipping Services and its privatization have had disproportionate consequences for provinces like Temotu, where the market alone cannot provide the lifeline services we depend on.
“It is vital that that unique context of our province is recognized in national policy decisions,” he said.
This is the sole reason that gave birth to the idea to purchase LC Temotu and its operation will help address the shipping challenges faced by the province.
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