SHELVES at supermarkets are getting emptier and fuel supplies are running dangerously low as Taveuni residents fear the island could grind to a halt if shipping services are not restored soon.
Taveuni resident Abhishek Sapra said the disruption had left almost 20,000 people paying the price for a dispute they had no part in.
“What’s shocking to me is that a private company and the Government can affect the lives of ordinary people like this when it’s nothing we’re involved in,” he said.
Mr Sapra said families were struggling to carry on with their daily lives while businesses, farmers and the tourism industry faced growing uncertainty.
“We’re all trying to keep our farms running and earn a living while the cost of everything continues to rise.
“Our children have to go to school, families are carrying out construction projects, and we have many overseas investors who have recently come here and are trying to boost the tourism industry.”
He said the residents felt as though they were “being held hostage” as the island waited for a solution.
“The disruption had been ongoing for about a week, and residents were alarmed that there appeared to be no contingency plan in place.”
He said his biggest concern was that businesses would soon be forced to shut down as diesel supplies ran out.
“Businesses like ours rely on generators to process certain goods, and without diesel, we won’t be able to operate our machines.
“Diesel is also needed for vehicles and public transport. If supplies continue to run out, everything will eventually come to a halt.”
He said the shutdown of shipping services was threatening livelihoods and the island’s economy, with residents anxiously waiting for the services to resume.
Both vessel companies, Goundar Shipping Ltd and Interlink Shipping, had stopped services to the island since last month.
Rural and Maritime Development Minister Mosese Bulitavu said the government was fully aware of the situation and the team was assessing the situation on the ground.
Mr Bulitavu said they would activate contingency measures when needed.
