The Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Ministry has expressed concern at the shipping services to Rotuma with reports reaching them of the lack of basic food items and fuel on the island.

Yesterday Minister Sakiasi Ditoka said they were trying to organise a response to the island’s shipping ills.

“We are very concerned about the situation at the moment,” Mr Ditoka said.

“I’ve just sent our deputy secretary to the meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Government Shipping to see how they organise a response to the shipping needs of Rotuma.

“We are very concerned about the reports we’ve been receiving of the lack of fuel and other necessities.”

Mr Ditoka said those were issues that confronted the commercial sector.

“Where commercial entities try to meet the needs and try to pair that up with their own commercial interest as well,” he said.

“I believe that’s where the tide is happening and the need is prevalent from within other areas as well.

“I think that is where the problem is arising, when you focus on one part of Fiji, another part of Fiji suffers.”

Mr Ditoka said government ministers had discussed the problems and that “we have to find a way for other commercial entities to enter the market”.

“I believe it’s only proper we have a normal shipping service to be online again and I think that is the responsibility of the Government to make sure that happens.”