ANOTHER DISASTROUS INCIDENT IN RENNEL

A bauxite carrying vessel (barge) has capsized in Kangava Bay on remote Rennell Island, last week.

That was closed to where the MV Solomon Trader grounded in February. 

Whilst cleaning up of the oil spill site is still ongoing, this accident posed yet, another risk to the Island.

The Vessel was owned by the Bintang Mining, a firm contracted by Asia Pacific Investment Ltd (APID), a controversial logging firm changed its color to become a mining company. 

Mining and logging operations, and the oil spillage has posed serious risk to the already threatened World Heritage Site, of Lake Tengano.     

View of the Knagava Bay

How the APID make its way into becoming a mining firm is another issue that needs proper thorough investigation with SOlomon Islands government officials.  

Click here for details.

Threats to the National Botanical Garden.

The only Solomon Islands Botanical garden has been under serious threats following illegal settlers intrusion into the gardens periphery.

K42 BILLION LAW SUIT

The Pegera Land owners in Papua New Guinea has sued the PNG government for the breach of contract and duty of care for its people over the Pogera mine.

Barrick Nuigini Ltd has been operating in PNG Highlands, Gold Mine for nearly 30 years, since 1989.

Check here for more. 

Pogera mine site, PNG Highlands

LOGGING WASTES DAMAGES ECOLOGY ON MALAULALO ISLANDS

With the ongoing impacts of climate change,logging activities in Makira Ulawa Province are having inevitable impacts on the beautiful Three Sister Islands (Malaulalo), Solomon Islands.

Malaulalo, Magrove planting, an uphill battle against Climate Change.

According to a a concerned Chair of the Malaulalo  Conservation and Tourism Association, Dennis Marita. 

Despite the distance between these islands from logged areas Mr Marita said the sea currents have carried a pile of logging  debris and washed them ashore on the beautiful beaches of their conserved Island. 

He adds  these debris including round logs are being washed ashore to disturb the turtle's nesting sites. 

Meanwhile, Mr Marita said recently the association has received funds from an oversea group to do the cleaning up on their beaches. 

Three Sister Islands are the Out-layers of Makira Ulawa Province, in the Solomon Islands.

One of its fourth  islet known as Tego has been sunken due to the rising sea level, in around 1800s. Its people were the first climate refugees who were now lining in the mainland Makira.

Author: Allen Waitara.

THE GHOST ISLAND

The Ghost Island of Avaha, in the Lord Howe Atoll of Malaita Out-layers are becoming the first climate change refugees in the country.

They have abandoned their island to a bigger island still within the Lord Howe atoll, but the question they keep pondering upon is:

"We are living in an atoll, jumping from island to island, looking for shelter years after years. Where else can we escape the rising tide," said Chief Peter Kalali of Pelau.

An abandoned home of Avaha Island, the first wave of climate change refugees in the Solomon Islands.

The Ghost Church in Avaha Island. Abandoned and left for the mosquitoes, the bugs and the frogs to worship the roaring waves, and rushing wind.

RENNEL PEOPLE WARNED NOT TO USE MARINE RESOURCES

RENNEL PEOPLE WARNED OF MARINE RESOURCES RISK

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has warned Rennell people, especially those living around the Lavangu Bay where the recent oil spillage was 'concentrated' NOT to consume any sea food from the area till sea food samples sent abroad for testing is completed and returned.

Advice to use the Marine resources, will be a decision of the authority.

RENNEL PEOPLE WARNED OF MARINE RESOURCES RISK

NDMO Director Loti Yates made the strong call following the salvage work of MV Solomon Trader which ran aground in February this year, during bad weather.

The vessel was recently re-floated and currently in PNG for maintenance.

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Mr Yates said, cleaning up of the oil spillage at the Lavangu bay in Rennell Island continues, and will take some time yet.

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MV Solomon Trader, was a Hongkong-flaged cargo ship loading bauxite from a mine on the island.

An estimated 200 tonnes of oil has spilled into the ocean posing environmental disaster.