SOLOMON TRADER STILL STRANDED
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
BARAVA FM
EFFORTS to re-float the Solomon Trader, currently stranded on a reef in Lavagu Bay, is
still unsuccessful.
The
MV Solomon Trader hit a reef two weeks ago in Rennell waters and fears are
escalating over the amount of destruction it can cause to the marine
biodiversity there.
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MV Solomon Trader (Photo Supplied) |
Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr Melchior Mataki says they are
aware the ship has already started to cause some leakage into the sea.
Mataki
says this is the first time for Solomon Islands to deal with such an
environmental disaster.
Mataki
says the company responsible is trying it’s best to salvage the ship but poor
weather condition this past week has hampered their efforts to get a team to
Rennell to salvage the wreck.
He
says they continue to keep him updated of their efforts.
Mataki
says as chair of the National Disaster Council, he is gravely concerned but
there is nothing much the government can do as it lacks the capability to carry
out such an exercise.
He
says because of this, Australia will be assisting the government in its
efforts, despite the sole responsibility belonging to the company.
The
National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is helping to convene/coordinate SIG efforts to support salvaging efforts by the owners of MV Solomon Trader.
ENDS///
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