NGC allocates $2.2M for 13 trucks to support 12 Green Economic Zones, boosting agriculture and local livelihoods
The North Guadalcanal Constituency (NGC) office has allocated over $2.2 million to procure 13 two-and-a-half-ton trucks to support its recently established 12 Green Economic Zones (GEZ).
Of these 13 vehicles, one will be delivered to the GPPOL Workers Cooperative Society.
Funding for the vehicles comes from the 2025 CDF budget allocation under the grant component, valued at SBD$720,000, and will be supplemented with SBD$1.5 million provided by the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
Member of Parliament and Minister for Health, Dr. Paul Bosawai, said his team plans to deliver the trucks to the 12 GEZ by June next year.
“These vehicles are intended to assist members of our 12 economic zones with their transportation needs, as transport is crucial to economic activities because it facilitates the movement of goods, services, and people. Additionally, these trucks are designed to support farmers, families, and communities in their farming activities, thereby contributing significantly to the constituency’s agricultural productivity and economic livelihoods,” Dr. Bosawai emphasized.
The GEZ initiative, conceived by Dr. Bosawai, aims to boost agricultural development and food security in the region. It includes villages and communities within the constituency and seeks to reduce import dependency by increasing domestic agricultural output.
Dr. Bosawai added that the NGC office is committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and ensuring food security for its communities.
The 12 GEZ were launched on 4 May 2025, alongside the handover of 12 tractors to be used by members in the zones.
Dr. Bosawai noted that agriculture should be a central focus for economic growth, helping boost rural and local economies and creating opportunities for people to improve their livelihoods. He also highlighted the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by encouraging local food consumption, which requires increased local food production.
He called for cooperation from constituents to work closely with the NGC office to prioritize development, emphasizing that agriculture should be a main driver of the country’s economic growth.
The NGC office’s 2025 budget allocation for development purposes is as follows:
- Productive Sector (Preferred Supplier Arrangement, PSA): $996,000 allocated for project materials and goods across 12 GEZs, with $83,000 allocated per zone.
- CDF Grant and RSDP Contributions: $720,000 from the CDF Grant, supplemented by $1.5 million from RSDP for the procurement of 13 trucks to serve the 12 GEZs.
- Cross-sectoral Sector (PSA): $360,000 allocated, supplemented by $720,000 from the social sector for housing materials.
- Social and Cultural Obligations: $1 million allocated.
- Recurrent Budget Support: The constituency office also receives over $300,000.
SOURCE : Ministry of Rural Development
