The development and construction of the Caretaker Prime Minister’s new residential area at Doma in North West Guadalcanal has been questioned raising eyebrow surprised amongst people of North West Guadalcanal.
Speaking to Solomon Star chief Stephen George of Aruligo said such development does not speak well of a national leader Lilo and his former NCRA government who failed to bring about developments at Doma instead build his own residential complex.
“The message this development sends to our people is Lilo does not care about the Doma developments such as the USP campus, cannery and township. He only cares about himself,” chief George said.
He further questioned how Lilo acquires the land and how it happened.
Chief George said his people are not happy to see only Lilo’s development but not other developments he is boosting about for Doma.
“This should become a real concern for both our provincial and national government leaders. Look at what is happening now. What happened to the entire ground breaking ceremony taking place at Doma? Was it done for Lilo to build his residence or should he be more concerned about national issues than his personal issues?” chief George asked.
He stressed that Lilo should cease from further development and explained to his people who live around that area how he got the land and why his government did not start off with national developments after the ground breaking and instead start with his own resident.
Guadalcanal provincial secretary said he is not aware of when the land at Doma was given to Lilo but is sure that Lilo had applied through the Guadalcanal provincial executive for the piece of land at Doma.
Charles Sisimia said one thing people of Guadalcanal must understand is these developments might not take off as expected just like any other ground breaking ceremonies around the country.
Sisimia said the land belongs to GP and is managed by the Guadalcanal Development Authority (GDA).
Adding, the premier has the power over the land.
He said any land dealings at Doma has to be blessed by the GP assembly.
“If people of Guadalcanal have any issues regarding developments at Doma, they have the right to go and raise their complaints to the GP headquarter rather than voicing them in the media.”
Chief George however called on GP leaders to make the right decision over land allocations because land is a sensitive issue which needs proper consultation and communication to inform people how things are done.
“Seeing Lilo’s development silently going up does not go down well with our people. Why can’t Lilo do that to the developments he and his outgoing NCRA government were boastful about and claimed to support?” chief George questioned.
He calls on the provincial government to do something about it because it will raise tensions amongst communities of North West Guadalcanal.
In response Caretaker PM said issues surrounding how he acquired his land at Doma has been done accordingly and has no strings attached to it.
Lilo said the delay in developments at Doma is not government fault’s but that of the parties concerned who have admitted themselves they are the once delaying the project due to their own issues.
He added his residential development at Doma is a personal one and people should not confuse themselves and mix it with national issues.
Lilo stressed the national government is committed to supporting all the developments under the Guadalcanal province.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
