BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

James Bonuga, Member of Parliament for Temotu Pele constituency, said development, resources, opportunities and essential services have not been distributed fairly across the country.

Speaking during the Sina-Die motion on Monday, 15, 2025, he said that provinces such as Temotu continue to bear the burden of remoteness without receiving the level of support required to overcome it.

He described this as an issue that is not new and one that can no longer be addressed with general statements of commitment alone.

“Temotu province, like many other provinces, faces unique challenges arising from its geography and distance from the capital.

“These challenges affect the delivery of essential services, the movement of goods and people, and the ability of communities to participate in economic development,” Bonuga said.

He said that while Temotu province continues to contribute to the national economy and the nation’s shared identity, it continues to experience limited access to healthcare, education, markets and economic opportunities.

“This imbalance is unacceptable if we are serious about inclusive and equitable development. The most critical constraint to development in Temotu province remains shipping.

“Irregular and unreliable shipping services continue to undermine every aspect of life, whether it is the delivery of medical supplies, access to markets for agricultural and fisheries products, or the movement of students, workers and public servants,” he said.

He pointed out that shipping is not a luxury for the Temotu province, but a necessity.

Bonuga said that development projects will continue to fail, or service delivery will remain inconsistent, and the total cost of living will remain unreasonably high without consistent and affordable shipping services.

“I would like to stress that we remain one of the most expensive destinations in terms of air travel in this country. Our one-way domestic ticket is higher than Honiara Brisbane return or even Honiara Nadi return.

“The imbalance has caused social and economic hardship, growth and development in general,” he said.

Bonuga said that it is time to reflect on the principle of inclusive development and the need to ensure that all provinces, including Temotu, can share meaningfully in the nation’s progress.

Photo: NPSI

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