Opposition MP Jone Usamate says constructing another port in Suva would ease congestion at the existing port facilities in the capital.
“I would suggest, given the congestion that we have in the port here, we might need to have two different ports; one operational port in Suva where the boats that are actually doing work — unloading, loading cargo coming into Suva, the rest that are waiting on operation should stay on the Laucala side.”
Mr Usamate was responding to Ro Filipe Tuisawau’s ministerial statement in Parliament last Wednesday.
He said an additional port would assist in controlling the congestion from the influx of vessels coming to Suva.
“I am glad to hear that the honourable minister is talking about reviewing the law, all of these things have to be looked at,” he said.
“As I said, for our people in the islands, shipping is very important for them, we need to make sure that the quality of ships are good. I am wondering whether we are strictly enforcing the requirements by MSAF to kick off those people that are allowed to make fibreglass boats because if those boats are not safe, if we are not making sure that they comply to the standards, then their ships break apart in the seas, that will cause loss of life.”
