More than 6 million dollars worth of materials was shipped to the Western Province for the Marovo Constituency. The materials are said to be part of the government’s ongoing support towards development of the constituency, through their representative in parliament. The Ministry of Rural Development says the consignment is aligned to the constituency socio-economic development plan. Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Tyson Ghera said compared to previous deliveries, this is the biggest batch ever because it covers supplies for individual housing projects, income generation, schools, churches and community projects.
The deliveries include:
8,000 plus roofing iron for repairing and maintenance of over 400 family houses within the constituency.
1,000 plus roofing for churches, community halls and schools.
Church building materials worth over $300,000.00 which include cements and 200 cubic of gravels and other hardware materials.
2,000 Solar sets (100-Watts) to be given to households
200 drums of petrol as part of income generation project
Ghera said the 200 drums of petrol are to assist fuel depot owners provide enough supply of fuel for OBMs in Marovo. “Now that we have handed over 160 boats and OBM last year, it now requires sufficient fuel service as OBM is the only means of transport in the Marovo Lagoon,” he said. Tyson said the projects are not only for the supporters of the current MP but beneficiaries include constituents of Marovo, both voters and non-voters of their Member of Parliament.. He said the ‘voters-only system’ has caused much inconvenience throughout the 50 constituencies in the Solomon Islands which has hindered development possibly in some rural areas since the inception of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Ghera said there is a need to break away from that mentality. “There is no use when we want to talk about unity and yet we continue to practice the ‘voters-only system’,” he said. Ghera said their office is working closely with their Member of Parliament to do away with this system. “We have struggled at the first year because of the pressure from our voters, but we managed to get over it,” he said. Ghera then thanked the Peoples of Republic of China (PRC) and the Solomon Islands Government for funding support to CDF program which enabled them to procure the project supplies. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary Technical of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Hugo Hebala congratulated Marovo Constituency under the leadership of their MP for their continuous support towards development in the constituency. “Investing in such soul moving projects is profound,” he said. Mr Hebala said the ministry has noted that MCO has been always very supportive toward development programs and livelihood enhancements over the years in the constituency adding the ministry is pleased to see constituencies investing in such a cause to improve social and economic livelihood of our rural people. He said MRD as the ministry responsible for CDF program will continue to support our 50 respective constituencies to ensure they deliver their development programs towards improving social and economic livelihood in our rural areas. Peoples Republic of China (PRC) Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Li Ming, Marovo MP Chachabule Amoi, MRD Officials, Constituency Officers, Constituency Committee member representatives, and other guest officials were present to witness the sending off of the materials.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development
