BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Guadalcanal Government in a statement issued yesterday said that the burned vessel poses risks of sinking and environmental damage.
The statement said that the vessel lies within Guadalcanal’s jurisdiction under the Provincial Government Act 1997, which extends the province’s boundaries three nautical miles seaward from its islands.
The government underscored its statutory duty to safeguard the marine environment and coastal communities.
The government warn that the fire-damaged vessel presents serious threats, including oil pollution, navigational hazards, and long-term harm to marine biodiversity.
“The people of Guadalcanal depend on the sea for their livelihood, and the Provincial Government will not allow risks to be shifted into its area without accountability,” the statement said.
The provincial administration calls on national agencies including the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marines, and the Attorney General to act swiftly and in coordination to prevent environmental harm and ensure proper disposal or salvage of the vessel.
The government pledges to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to the public as developments unfold.
Photo credit: Pacific Towing
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