Opposition queries gov’t plans for food supply to provinces

OPPOSITION Leader Hon Matthew Wale has called on the government to clarify plans for food supply to the provinces and remote areas.

Hon Wale said since the community transmission, people in the provinces especially in the rural areas have been hit hard with lack of food supply and basic necessities.

The Opposition Leader questioned what plans the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Livelihood Committee have in place to address these concerns.

“My office has received concerns from provinces that food supply and basic medicines and other necessities are running short. These are concerns that needs to be addressed urgently,” he said.

Hon Wale said calls for support in the media from emergency teams in Malaita, Isabel, Choiseul, West, Guadalcanal and Central Islands are obvious that the situation is urgent.

The Opposition Leader said although the country is faced with the COVID community transmission, the government should avoid a humanitarian crisis at all costs.

“The government must urgently come up with a plan to start sending food supplies especially to our rural areas as soon as possible,” he said.

Hon Wale has also questioned whether the government also has plans to deliver food packs to affected areas in the provinces.

He said response efforts and food delivery must not only be focused in Honiara but provinces as well.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader also encouraged the NDMO and livelihood committee to distribute food fairly to residents in Honiara.

“The Prime Minister has promised in his nationwide address that every single household will be provided with food packs and no household will be left out,” Hon Wale said.

ENDS//