PEOPLE of North Guadalcanal has presented two chupus (traditional gifts) to SIPCRRA Malaita and the national government during the national healing and apology event at Rove playing field, West Honiara yesterday.
This was to compensate the people of Malaita who left the constituency during the height of the ethnic tension in 1998.
Most of the Malaitans were former employees of former Solomon Islands Plantation Limited (SIPL).
While the second chupu was to allow the national government to consider the outstanding demands of Guadalcanal people.
Former Premier of Guadalcanal, Steven Panga said their chiefs decided to present separate chupus because North Guadalcanal was one of the hot spots during the conflict and hosted bigger developments.
“Most of the happenings of the conflict happen on our area, therefore we need to do something,” he said.
Mr Panga said before the conflict, Malaitans have contributed in human resources to the development of SIPL, which is one of the economical areas that feed the whole country.
Therefore, he said their traditional gifts were sign of making peace with both parties for what happened during the conflict.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, Minister of Peace, Samson Maneka, Minister of Provincial Government, David Tome, Police Commissioner, Frank Prendergast, RAMSI Special coordinator, Quinton Devlin, diplomatic corps, provincial premiers and the public have witnessed the solemn ceremony.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
