AN alternative site has been identified by the Government in Motusa, Rotuma, for the construction of a new jetty, says Rotuma district officer (DO) Luke Sava.
This is after concerns were raised about the unsafe condition of the current jetty, especially during bad weather.
“During that kind of weather, boats have difficulties in docking up at the jetty,” Mr Sava said.
“So, we are trying to look at an alternative site. We are looking at the Motusa Bay, to have that constructed.
“That might take years, we do not know about that, but that is something that we are looking into.”
During a recent visit to the island, the media saw and experienced firsthand the difficulty that locals face at the jetty during strong wind and bad weather conditions. Because of the rough seas, only passengers and vehicles were allowed to alight from the boat on the day it berthed.
The remaining cargo had to be unloaded the next day when the sea was calmer.
“In terms of the jetty, we all know that is one of the main assets in the maritime islands. People access the jetty to transport goods, and fuel from Fiji, and also they use it to travel to Fiji.
“Currently, the site for that jetty, as we speak is not well and good in terms of its vulnerability to the weather.”
Mr Sava also alluded to talks between the Government and inter-island ferries servicing the Fiji-Rotuma route regarding the kind of service that the locals are receiving.
This is after an incident happened last year, involving a boat with a short ramp that was not able to dock, and passengers had to board from the side of the boat by being pulled up on a rope.
“Through Commissioner Eastern’s office, they have been having several discussions with the two service providers on how to serve well the people of Rotuma.
“We do not want boats leaving Fiji and then arriving on Rotuma, not being able to dock due to the services, especially the ramps. So that is through the commissioner Eastern’s office.”
