Peter Shanel Agovaka calls for urgent action on Temotu’s maritime transport, safety and security after the MV Awka incident.
The Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament, Peter Shanel Agovaka, says the recent stranding of MV Awka in the waters of Temotu Province, between Vanikoro and Tikopia, must serve as a wake-up call for the Solomon Islands Government to urgently address the longstanding challenges of maritime transport, safety and security facing the country’s easternmost province.
Hon. Agovaka said the incident, which left passengers and crew stranded at sea following mechanical difficulties, exposed the vulnerability of communities that depend almost entirely on maritime transport for access to essential services, supplies and economic opportunities.
While acknowledging and appreciating the assistance provided by regional partners and vessels that responded to the emergency, the Leader of the Independent Group said the incident raised serious questions about national preparedness, emergency response capacity and the availability of reliable transport alternatives for Temotu.
“We must not wait for a tragedy before making the necessary policy decisions and investments to protect our people,” Agovaka said.
He stressed that while Temotu’s geographical remoteness was a reality, unreliable transport, inadequate emergency response capacity and insufficient maritime infrastructure must not become permanent features of life in the province.
Agovaka therefore called on the Temotu Provincial Government to urgently engage the National Government on critical policy priorities to rectify emergencies at sea.
Agovaka proposed that the Temotu Provincial Government consolidate the needed critical policy priorities under a dedicated Eastern Maritime Transport, Safety and Security Programme and pursue it with the National Government for its development, financing and implementation.
He emphasised that such initiative should not be treated merely as a provincial request for additional infrastructure, but as an investment in human safety, national sovereignty, economic connectivity and the government’s responsibility to serve all Solomon Islanders, regardless of where they live.
“The people of Temotu should not have to endure prolonged uncertainty at sea or face avoidable disruptions to essential services simply because of their geographical location,” Hon. Agovaka said.
“The MV Awka incident must become a turning point. The time for lessons learned must lead to decisions made, commitments secured and practical action delivered.”
Peter Shanel Agovaka
LEADER OF INDEPENDENT GROUP
