Dear Editor – As one of the tribal leaders in Malaita, I am now getting frustrated with all the political crisis and lack of development progress in our province.
Therefore I want to review and highlight the self governing and independence desire of our frustrated Malaitans.
For far too long Malaita Province’s development grant awards by the national government is too small when compared to its large population to cater for all key projects Malaita Province needs to lay a solid foundation to develop and became self sustained and prosperous in future.
Today Malaita Province needs strong tribal and political leadership who are not afraid to stand up as tough negotiators in any political or social environment.
For far too long our political leadership are not well vested in political negotiation skills and tends to compromise when negotiations get tough instead of staying focused and sticking to their demands until the right solutions are achieved.
Malaita Provincial Government needs about $15 million per month or $180 million each year for all its services to our people, and not small meager amounts like $6 million or less service grant per month.
With all of the things highlighted above, the question of what’s in store for Malaita as an independent state with its own government, police force and armed forces pop up again.
Below is a number of benefits Malaita Province stands to gain as an independent state or government.
(1) All foreign aid and development grants from overseas donors will go directly to the government and people of Malaita if it becomes a Republic.
(2) Malaita government will collect its own taxes for imports, exports and others.
(3) Malaita will attract direct foreign investment to the Province to offer more employment opportunities for Malaita people, especially high school graduates.
(4) Malaita will setup Bina harbour as a duty free port for transshipment or re-export of duty free goods to other Pacific countries or customers to earn extra income and taxes.
I can go on and on to describe the many benefits Malaita stand to gain as a Republic, but it will take 50 pages or more to tell all the hidden gold nuggets that lay underground for Malaita to discover as a Republic.
I leave everything for all my fellow Malaita brothers and sisters to decide and choose between a smooth tar sealed road to travel on or a rough road full of potholes!Sincerely
James D. Baura
Auki
Malaita Province
