13 Jun 2006

Delay in Tuvalu over departure of boat for repatriations

1:47 pm on 13 June 2006

There is a delay in Tuvalu in sending a boat to pick up Tuvaluans from Nauru who are being repatriated home.

It had been expected to depart today but the prime minister, Maatia Toafa, says it now won't leave until the end of the week.

A group of around 300 Tuvaluans are waiting to return home, some of whom have been living in Nauru for many years, and two boat trips will be needed for the repatriation.

Mr Toafa says other priorities have come up, resulting in the delay.

"The service to all the islands is only by sea freight, we don't have air services, domestic air service so it's due to other priority commitments within the islands."

Mr Toafa says an advance group is in Nauru sorting out travel documents and helping the Tuvaluans prepare to return home.