Solomon Star
By Elliot Dawea | Tuesday 16 April 2013
Photo: http://blogs.oceanswatch.org/solomons-png/?m=201108
A lecturer in education at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Solomon Islands Campus has petitioned the Temotu Provincial Government against underwater mining.
Dr Jack Maebuta made the petition through online appealing for all members of the Temotu Public Forum on facebook to submit their names for support.
Dr Jack said many people are ignorant about the likely impacts of such mining and thus the Temotu provincial government should not prey on our people’s ignorance as leverage into rushing off the implementation of the project.
He said prior to implementation of this project there needs to an impact assessment study undertaken and results should be communicated to the people.
“Such study needs to be undertaken by an internationally reputable independent body so as to maintain ethical and neutral reporting.
“The province should not buy into presentation done by the company as this only promotes their hidden agenda.
“Temotu is a sea of mostly atoll islands, you mine our seabed you mine our life. Studies have proved that deep seabed mining has associated environmental problems.
“We do not want to be fooled by scientific explanation and the use of advanced and sophisticated technology to justify the no-harm operation of the project.
“Our people’s livelihood depended on the environment and the deep sea mining project must not be allowed,” he said.
The other point is that Temotu is a disaster prone region and the recent deadly tsunami that devastated parts of Santa Cruz should be a turning point that we must look after our environment.
“If the province does not stop this project now it will be the recipe for violent conflict in near future,” Dr Jack warned.
