In brief with RONALD TOITO’ONA
Vavanga: Tourism in Guadalcanal slowly expanding
The tourism industry has started to expand in rural Guadalcanal says the Premier of the Province, Mr Bartholomew Vavanga.
He highlighted this in his presentation during day five of the 8th Premiers Conference at the Heritage Park’s A’hara conference room yesterday.
“Currently there are 21 Registered Eco-tourism operators registered under the Guadalcanal Tourism Development Services.
“There are other operators at the eastern part of Guadalcanal who contributed significantly to the industry,” he said.
He also added that, in Marau, the Tavanipupu Resort and many micros to small eco-tourism operators involves family units.
“With the potential and diversity of tourism attractions in Guadalcanal, the industry is likely to provide jobs and a means of income for rural Guadalcanal people,” Mr Vavanga highlighted.
He said that, Guadalcanal province shows the relevance of empowering communities all over Solomon Islands to participate fully in local economic development.
PS updates progress of cattle program here
THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has updated premiers attending the conference yesterday on the current progress of cattle development farming in the country.
Jimi Saelea was responding to a question asked by the premier of Isabel Province James Habu regarding the current progress of cattle farming that MAL has engaged in few years ago.
“As we are trying to rehabilitate the cattle industry, a program was started in 2011. That year, we took in the first shipment.
“In that program, we are trying to establish three distribution farms. So, the first one was established at Guadalcanal plains as a government farm, with a purpose to act as a centre of distribution of cattle for farmers within the nearby provinces and areas.
“The other farm was established in Malaita, West Kwaio which received the second shipment. This farm will also be used to distribute cattle to the nearby areas also,” Mr Saelea said.
He added that at the moment, the third farm which is still progressing is being identified to be established at Vangunu in the Western province. For the third farm, they are working closely with a private business man to have the farm established. This will be the farm that will distribute cattle to Western and Choiseul farmers.
Meanwhile, he said that the farm in Guadalcanal is now ready to distribute cattle to small holder farmers in the province.
Mr Saelea was invited to do a presentation on possible strategies to revitalise agriculture on rural communities as a catalyst to rural economic growth.
Ramofafia introduces new fisheries project
A NEW fisheries project called the Constituency Fisheries Centre (CFC) was introduced during the 8th Premiers conference by the PS of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources, Dr Christian Ramofafia.
His presentation was based on the key economic productive sector provisions of direct support to the provinces and provincial governments and possible long term strategies which can further stimulate the participation of rural communities in small scale economic productive industries.
During his presentation, he talked about the CFC program which is aimed to be established in the rural communities all over the country.
“These centres will try to strengthen every business activities in the provinces.
“They will be leased out to private entrepreneurs, and they will sign an MOU with the ministry to steer the progress of fisheries development in the rural areas,” the PS said.
He added that the CFC’s will be guided by the ministry’s legal platform where some acts are being put in place.
Mr Ramofafia said that, the CFC will soon be in full operation in constituencies of the country by 2018.
Weape: Unload Honiara city
THE Premier of Makira/Ulawa province Thomas Weape has made a plea yesterday during the 8th premiers’ conference that there is a need to unload Honiara.
He said this amidst the number of challenges that are currently polluting the capital city today, which was highlighted by the city Mayor Alfrence Fatai in his presentation.
“Our capital city is overloaded with many activities and needs to be unloaded.
“It is time that the concentration is decentralised to other provinces.
“We have seen the mayor highlighted in his presentation that this place is heavily populated and there are many things not going on well here,” Mr Weape said.
“Honiara is the economic hub of the country, but if we have the idea of spreading out economic activities in the provinces, I’m sure that none of us in the provinces will ever think of coming here for the services provided.
“This will relief the burden of challenges that the capital is currently facing,” he added.
