MAN CALLS FOR REOPENING OF PARASI AIRFIELD ON MALAITA

A map of Small Malaita, located South of Malaita province. Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia

A man from Small Malaita has called on all community chiefs and landowners of Small Malaita to put away their differences and reopen the Parasi airstrip so as to reap its benefits.

Parasi airport was closed after a land dispute.

A South Malaita man, Ishmael Ou’ou said the airfield is a vital transportation link to the whole country, especially in times of health emergencies and natural disaster relief efforts.

Mr Ou’ou said all the chiefs and landowners of Small Malaita should resolve to reopen the airstrip by dialogue.

He says the relevant council of chiefs should identify the rightful landowners so that the airfield can be reopened.

“Our council of chiefs at the Ho’asita’imane canoe on which the Parasi airfield and Afio is located, are the ones who should come together and identify. The airfield could have been opened if they had identified the rightful landowners, but because of no such actions taken, nothing will happen. So I think the airport would remain as it is until we do something about it. But if nothing happens, it will remain close as it is,” he said.