The inaugural Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency Day 2025 united communities through culture, youth, sports and development
The inaugural Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) Day 2025 was successfully held from December 22 to 28 in Ringgi on Kolombangara Island. Guided by the 2025 constituency theme, “One Constituency, One Future: Showcasing Culture, Talents, and Development in Unity,” the week-long celebration marked a first of its kind for the constituency.
The occasion facilitated an environment for talent showcasing, cultural exchange, and the strengthening of social relationships among the various ethnic groups and communities within the constituency. The event highlighted the collective spirit, resilience, and shared aspirations of these communities, emphasizing that despite unique and diverse cultures, strong community values and progress are rooted in unity, cultural understanding, and acceptance of diversity.
Furthermore, the success of the program demonstrated what can be achieved when unity, inclusive development, cultural pride, youth empowerment, and purposeful leadership are pursued under a shared vision.
“This was not merely a celebration — it was a living demonstration of people-centred development in action,” said the Member of Parliament for Gizo-Kolombangara and Minister for Police, Jimson Tanangada.
He emphasized that the program was purposely designed as a practical platform for service delivery, economic empowerment, youth and sports development, cultural promotion, and long-term community transformation across Gizo and Kolombangara.
The historic event featured five key activities:
- Opening of office infrastructure
- Showcasing of culture and talents
- Delivery of flagship projects
- Mini expo involving private sector and service providers
- Sports activities
Dubbed a remarkable celebration and achievement for GKC, the week-long program commenced on Monday, December 22, 2025, with the official opening of the GKC office branch at Ringgi Station on Kolombangara Island.
“The establishment of a permanent constituency office in a rural station is a significant step toward strengthening administration and governance and bringing services closer to the people. This office provides access to information on constituency development priorities and promotes transparency in the use of Constituency Development Funds (CDF),” Minister Tanangada stated.
Representative and community leaders, cut the ribbon to officially open the GKC Ringgi
“These initiatives demonstrate GKC’s commitment to empowering rural households, strengthening local economies, and responding to real community needs with practical solutions,” he added.
On Wednesday, December 24, GKC Day provided a dedicated space for young people to showcase their talents and cultural identity.
“The participation of local GKC artists highlighted the constituency’s growing creative arts sector and its potential contribution to tourism and economic development,” Minister Tanangada said.
Performances by Ismuki, Boxman, Jungle Juice, Easy Rush, and other emerging artists demonstrated that local youth possess the talent and confidence to present unique Gizo–Kolombangara music at national and international levels.
“Culture and creativity remain vital tools for unity, identity, and opportunity,” he said, adding that the program also guided individuals, groups, and communities on how to access development support through CDF.
“It also reflects our firm commitment to inclusive, accountable, and people-centred leadership,” Minister Tanangada emphasized.
The following day, Tuesday, December 23, GKC formally opened its second office in Gizo, on Gizo Island, marked by the delivery of the first phase of its flagship constituency development projects supporting livelihoods, food security, housing, and community resilience.
The flagship projects delivered to beneficiaries were funded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) with funding of $1.5 million, and $1.2 million from GKC’s 2025 CDF allocation.
The projects included:
- 15 fishing boats with outboard motors under the fisheries development program
- 50 chainsaws to support agriculture and farming activities
- 180 pieces of roofing iron for copra and cocoa driers and sheds
- Over 100 wheelbarrows, 100 bush knives, 100 spades, 50 tents, and assorted garden tools
- 20,000 poly bags for farmers
- 2,400 roofing iron sheets for 100 rural homes
- 200 rural solar lights, prioritizing elderly and vulnerable households
the presence of community leaders, constituents, and constituency officers
From Monday, December 22, to Friday, December 26, the GKC Office also hosted a Mini Trade Show, bringing together private sector partners such as Telekom and Adventist Christian Books Market, among others.
“This initiative strengthened partnerships between communities and service providers, promoted financial literacy and digital access, supported small-scale enterprise opportunities, and reaffirmed the importance of private sector participation in constituency development,” Minister Tanangada said.
On Sunday, December 28, GKC Day concluded with the grand soccer final between Gizo Town and Central Kolombangara, uniting communities through sportsmanship, celebration, and friendly competition.
The GKC Games were not intended to focus solely on competition or prize money. Instead, they form part of a long-term sports development framework aimed at developing rural sports facilities, encouraging youth participation in sports as a career pathway, promoting discipline, teamwork, and leadership, improving physical and mental health, and supporting sports investment and facilitation.
“GKC invested significantly in youth and sports development through prize money and full facilitation, with a total investment of $154,700,” Minister Tanangada said.
Additional costs covered by the GKC office included uniforms for all participating teams across soccer, volleyball, and netball, travel and accommodation for teams and officials, food and catering for six days, and allowances for officiating officials.
“Through these activities, GKC is proud to have injected over $300,000 back into the local economy—benefiting young players, catering groups, market vendors, farmers, transport operators, SMEs, and service providers,” Minister Tanangada revealed.
He said the GKC office will continue to work closely with the Western Football Association and other sporting bodies to strengthen long-term leagues and development pathways for talented young athletes across Gizo and Kolombangara.
Meanwhile, Minister Tanangada expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including the people of Gizo and Kolombangara, constituency officers, Constituency Development Committee members, the Western Province Football Association, game officials, the local organizing committee, and all who contributed to the success of the week-long program.
He also expressed appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its funding support through the RSDP for the GKC Fisheries Development Program and other livelihood initiatives.
“GKC Day 2025 has proven that when we work together in unity, vision can be transformed into action. Development is not delivered from afar — it is built together with our people, rooted in culture, powered by youth, strengthened by partnerships, and guided by accountable leadership,” Minister Tanangada said.
With lessons learned and momentum gained from GKC Day 2025, GKC looks forward to strengthening partnerships in education, health, sports infrastructure, road development, and sustainable economic initiatives across Gizo and Kolombangara Island—ensuring the constituency moves forward as One Constituency, with One Future.
The week-long program was sponsored by the constituency office with funding support under its 2025 CDF allocation, in accordance with Section 26(d) of the CDF Act 2023. GKC Day has now been established as an annual event, to be held at the end of each year.
Source: MID MEDIA
