THE Australian government has offered SBD$1.5 million to the FAMOA Council of Chiefs Wednesday this week, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the New Patrol Boat Outpost in Shortland Islands.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on behalf of the Government of Australia handed over the cheque (replica) to Chief Lawrence Hotomo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for FAMOA.
In his speech at the occasion, Mr Sogavare said the good will donation is a token of appreciation from Australia as a traditional development partner of Solomon Islands.
He added, the good will payment symbolizes the appreciation of partnership by all parties involved.
“Thank you for giving your land for this national development project,” he said.
Mr Sogavare also stated that the Solomon Islands government had assisted the Australian government to secure the land which will be used to build the new Patrol Boat base.
In response, Chief Lawrence thanked the Australian Government and the National Government for the kind donation.
The Chief said the communities of Shortland Islands “cannot thank you enough as repeated, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the token appreciation.”
“We the FAMOA, people, chiefs, have given the land for the very important security for our people particularly in this area and for the whole nation Solomon Islands,” he said.
By ULUTAH GINA
Gizo News Bureau
