The change of schedule of the monthly freighter Goundar Shipping Ltd has affected life on Rotuma.
The people of Rotuma are without water and electricity and schools have been forced to close because of a shortage of fuel on the island.
Police on Rotuma have confirmed schools closed on Wednesday and the island is without water and electricity.
Filipe Makrava, 53, of Oinafa Village said the shops on the island were also running out of food.
“This problem started with the change of schedule of our monthly freighter (boat schedule),” Mr Makrava said.
“The boat from the Goundar Shipping Ltd is supposed to come to the island with the supply every month, but for this month it hasn’t arrived.
“There is no fuel here now and because of that, we are not only facing water cuts but an electricity cut on the whole of Rotuma.”
Mr Makrava said as a result, transportation on the island has also stopped on Monday and this forced the closure of schools, adding the problems had been ongoing for two weeks.
“All schools on the island closed yesterday (Wednesday) and the electricity was cut off on Tuesday.”
Fellow islander Salote Albert raised similar concerns.
“I don’t know why the boat is not coming but the disruption to the shipping service has affected us badly,” Ms Albert said.
“There is no water in our taps, and we have to rely on rain water. Some basic food items such as sugar, flour and rice have also run out in the shops.
“I feel sorry for extended families and families who have babies because milk, sugar and other things are so important.”
Questions sent to Goundar Shipping Ltd managing director Subramani Goundar remained unanswered.
Questions have also been sent to the Education Ministry Acting permanent secretary Timoci Bure.
