Chairperson of the Malaita provincial tourism sector Jackson Leaburi has described the fast deteriorating FOPA’s Forest Lake satellite venue as an ‘eye sore’ scene.
This came after the venue for 11th Festival of Pacific arts in 2012 has deteriorated which he said its the landowner’s failure to take over from FOPA.
“I am the FOPA Auki satellite venue director and after FOPA left the venue to the landowners as agreed upon, they should build on from where FOPA has left.
“The design of the village was designed to be the gateway for visitors to Malaita. It gives a sample taste of every cultural aspect of every region in Malaita.
“We expect landowners to take on from there and build on it.
“It’s really an eye sore scene for every one passing by the village.”
He said the cultural spectacular scene bring alive by the FOPA has gone.
“If we were serious about Malaita development especially the tourism sector, we should keep such gateways to remain attractive.
“Its something that FOPA has brought alive and should be maintained.”
He encouraged the Malaita tourism operators to start work from what they have locally.
“We should not depend much on government for assistance. We should start doing things locally to show that we are capable of doing things.”
Mr Leaburi said that his office is working on establishing tourism association within the regions of Malaita to work closely with the tourism operators and the responsible ministry.
“We are working on establishing associations within every region in Malaita. These associations will need to work closely with us, and the responsible ministry as well as tourism operators”.
Malaita province is one of the potential tourism destinations in the Solomon Islands.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
In Auki
