Food and petrol in short supply in Manihiki and Rakahanga

A Manihiki resident who does not wish to be named has challenged government over its priorities as far as the outer islands are concerned.
On Thursday the resident informed the Times that food and fuel were running out on Manihiki and Rakahanga.
The resident said government was dispatching the Patrol Boat Kukupa to Manihiki with a limited supply of diesel for the generator and a limited supply of food for Manihiki’s two shops. However, no petrol was being forwarded.
The resident said the big concern was petrol would soon run out on Manihiki and Rakahanga meaning locals would not be able to go out fishing or be able to get their pearl lines up.
The resident was concerned that while government had allocated over $400,000 to charter a ferry from Samoa to pick up people from the outer islands and transport them to Rarotonga for Te Maeva Nui, the ferry would not be able to transport fuel and food from Samoa to Manihiki and Rakahanga because the ferry will only be at each island for 3 hours.
The resident said surely it could be arranged for the crew to throw containers of food and fuel overboard for boats to pick up or tow ashore?
The resident said attempts have been made to contact officials at MOIP but to no avail.
The resident said attempts will now be made to discuss the situation directly with the ferry operator in Samoa to see if Manihiki and Rakahanga’s request for help can be accommodated.
The Times understands two government Ministers may be in Samoa before the ferry departs. Finance Minister Mark Brown is attending the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting and Teina Bishop is attending the Forum Fisheries Agency Meeting. If that is the case, a window of opportunity may exist for either to see what can be done.
Josh Taio of Taio Shipping says they have current commitments which will not see the next available opportunity to go north until about the first or second week of August. The Kwai is on its way to Hawaii.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009