A TOUR operator in Malaita has expressed dismay at the province’s decision to demolish an old British colonial building at provincial capital Auki.
According to Silas Malai who operates and manages Discover Malaita Tour, the demolished building was once the recreational hall of the British colonial government.
“This building holds significant history as far as tourism is concerned,” Malai said.
“It is one of the attractions in Malaita because of its historical ties to the British colonial government,” he added.
“This is why I am sad and dismayed at the decision to demolish it.”
The Malaita provincial executive decided to demolish the building to make way for a new double storey building that will house the Malaita Chazon Development Authority (MCDA) and other offices of the province.
MCDA is the commercial arm of the province.
After the British colonial government left in 1978, the province used the building as the Malaita Development Authority office.
Malai said the decision to demolish the building is a lost opportunity for tourism in Malaita.
“This is just not another old building.
“It is an attraction because it is part of the history of Malaita.
“From what I know the building accommodates a pub and was where workers of the British colonial government used to go for recreational activities.
“So its significance to our efforts to develop tourism in Malaita cannot be further stated.
“My clients from England who came to Malaita never missed visiting the old building,” Malai said.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
In Auki
