BY NED GAGAHE
Director of Meteorological services David Hiriasia is calling for public to respect seismic equipment installed in five locations in the provinces for earthquake detection and monitoring.
Mr Hiriasia issued the call following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Honiara and some parts of Guadalcanal on Tuesday afternoon causing damages to properties and homes.
He said for earthquake monitoring, in the last three years they have installed five seismic stations for earthquake detection through funding support from World Bank at Tatamba, Isabel, Aligegeo, Malaita, Huro, Makira, Tingoa, Renbel and Luesalemba in Temotu.
He said the more stations, the faster the detection and dissemination of information.
“It is unfortunate that some members of the public don’t realise the importance of these equipment and decided to break into and stole the solar panels and batteries from our stations in Aligegeo and
Lusalemba.” Hiriasia said.
“We want to do maintenance on these equipment however, we need the support from the public to take good care and look after these important equipment.
“It is unfortunate and sad that we get donor support and funding from other people who are willing to assist us but we fail to respect these equipment.
“It is for our own safety, the safety of the people, the public.
“I would like to call on the public to support us to look after these equipment.
“Its not an easy task to seek funding assistance from other countries or donor partners to support us with these equipment when we ourselves have no respect and care for these equipment.”
