RESOURCE owners of the Sikuni Tribe in the Solomon Islands have opposed the reopening of Barakoma Airstrip in Southeast Vella, Western Province unless a proper consultation is done with the government.
That’s according to one of the resource owners in Barakoma Esther Lelapitu.
Speaking in an interview with the Solomon Star Gizo, Ms Lelapitu from Sikuni Tribe conveyed that at the moment there are two things left unsolved here.
She recalled that in 1923 there was a signing between traders, the Church and the Sikuni Tribe for that piece of land that would become the Barakoma airport.
“Sikuni tribe consists of two groups called Bosira and Vaevo of Sikuni tribe.
“However, since the World War II occurred , a US Captain named Melford have met up with the two chiefs of Sikuni tribe, they were David Vaevo, the signatory and Ngalpitu my grandfather who resided in Vonunu.
Ms Lelapitu who is also a retired Magistrate explained the purpose of the US Captain Melford visit is to ask the Sikuni tribe whether they will allow the Barakoma for them build an airstrip.
“So after they meet, both chiefs allowed Barakoma although they never sign any document but verbally they agreed due to the escalating of the battle between US and Japan in South Vella Islands.
“And so since that time, the Government did not own any land of the at the Barakoma airstrip,” Ms Lelapitu said.