PLANS for repatriation of the people of Ontong Java should be carried out as soon as possible.

Malaita Outer Islands Liuaniua MPA, Patrick Apua, said this should be an urgent issue for both the Malaita provincial government and the national Government to consider.

Apua said both governments should recognise that his people are directly and adversely affected by climate change.

And, he adds, they are gambling their lives continuing to live in the atolls, not knowing when a natural disaster might strike and claim lives.

“This is our urgent need that our government should address this climate change issue for our people.

“The need is more than what we think.

“I believe for the next 10 to 15 years’ time we will not be living in our homes because of the sea level raise almost raise a metre every year.

“I appeal to the national and the provincial government to negotiate any available land in the main land in Malaita for our people to repatriate and settle in any of the available lands.”