Bougainville MP calls for better shipping services

A MP in the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is calling for better shipping services to be provided for the atolls constituency and Nissan Island on Bougainville.
North Bougainville Women Representative Amanda Masono was responding to the six people missing at sea since last Saturday, including ABG Health Minister Charry Napto.
Napto was travelling with six other passengers in a dinghy from Buka to Nissan Island when it capsized near Nissan Island. “I’m from Carterets Islands in the atolls constituency and this is the danger we face every time when we travel in dinghies from Buka,” she said.
“Many lives have been lost.
“The Government and the ABG have been neglecting our concern since the establishment of ABG in 2005.
“Both Governments have spent millions of kina in upgrading and sealing roads and bridges on mainland Bougainville but never have they funded a ship to provide transport services for the people in the atolls (Fead, Carterets, Mortlock and Tasman Islands) and Nissan.”
“We are always afraid whenever we travel to and from the district and Buka.
“We thank God when we reach our destination safely.
“But we can’t always be travelling in fear.
“We need to feel confident whenever we are travelling and that is why we need a ship.”
She accused the ABG and the Government of “playing around with the atolls and Nissan Islands people’s lives”.
“Both Governments must be concerned of what had happened to Napto and six other passengers who are now missing,” she said.