Dear Editor – May I respond to the above, or your front page cover-star No 5596 in Thursday’s issue.
First it is misleading the least to say that Rennell Islanders are united against miners.
The truth of the matter is that, some of the people are divided amongst three other mining companies, who are interested to mine Rennell but they are united against APID.
Secondly, using innocent children to justify one’s agenda is poorly evil. The poor child does not know the meaning of the place he is holding.
For George Tauika’s information, APID only applied to mine west Rennell which cover wards 3, 4, 5 and 6 (lughu to mugihenua). So George don’t you worry, we respect your concern and the world heritage site.
It is also advisable that you seek more information from Bintang Borneo Co. Or Lence Tago as the local counterpart regarding any mining proposed for east Rennell or Lake Tegano.
APID have nothing to do with east Rennell. However, what I can assure you of is that APID had in fact allocated an annual grant to assist communities in east Rennell when mining go ahead in west Rennell.
In regards to mining creating problems, what I can say is, whether there is mining or not, there will always be problems. For west Rennell people, poverty related problems are the most common one.
And the reality of the matter is, why do most of our families decided to leave our paradise (west Rennell) and spent the last 30-40 years in Honiara?
Dicker Maitaki
Secretary- West Rennell Landowners Taskforce
