FORMER Honiara City Councillor for Vura Ward, Reginald Ngati has raised concerns about the intentions behind the Port Adam seaweed farming project in Small Malaita.
Mr Ngati, who came second to the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita, Rick Houenipwela, in the 2024 National Election race, questioned the timing and focus of the project, following recent media reports highlighting its development.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development, the Small Malaita Constituency (SMC) Office has bolstered the efforts of Port Adam seaweed farmers by providing essential farming materials.
The support, facilitated through the national government’s Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme, included items such as main ropes, ring ropes, drying nets, plastics and seaweed bags to support large-scale farming.
The seaweed farming initiative was introduced by the SMC in 2023 under the leadership of MP Rick Houenipwela, who is now serving a fourth consecutive parliamentary term.
However, Ngati criticised the timing of the project, stating that such efforts should have been undertaken 15 years ago when Hou was first elected to Parliament in 2010.
He argued that millions of dollars allocated to the constituency over the past 15 years should have already elevated seaweed farming to greater heights.
Mr Ngati also highlighted the lack of support for other sectors, such as piggery, fishery, cocoa and yam farming.
He urged the Constituency Office to provide assistance to farmers in these sectors to contribute more effectively to the economic development of the constituency and the nation.
“If these sectors had been developed over the last 15 years, we would already see tangible economic progress in the constituency,” Mr Ngati said.
“Instead, the focus has been predominantly on solar projects, copper distribution and school fees,” he added.
Currently, approximately 150 seaweed farmers are engaged in the Port Adam Seaweed Project.
According to the SMC Office, the project generated more than $150,000 in revenue from its most recent two sales in Honiara last year.
