Village farmers, fishermen and village shop owners of West Rennell and surrounding communities are experiencing the influx of cash-flow and increase of revenue in their shops and communities as a direct result of the current bauxite mining operation in the area.
A landowner Malcolm Sau who has just returned from his village in West Rennell, said he have witness and seen the benefits and spin off the people in his communities are getting as more local and foreign workers are being employed and engaged in the mining operations in West Rennell.
“Unlike in the past where there is hardly any development in our Island, most shop owners, market vendors, fishermen have not had the opportunities to sell their goods or products, no one has ever come to our shops to buy anything, as a result we sometimes reduce the prices to half or we just consume everything ourselves,” Mr Sau said that was according to one shop owner.
He said women farmers who wanted to sell their products and fishermen who wanted to sell their fish may not have the opportunity to do so in the past, as there was no money circulating in their villages or communities, but that has changed.
“Community fundraising efforts towards our schools and churches and Youth & sport organizations are also hampered by the lack of cash-flow in our communities, and again that has since changed.
“Things have turned positive now as the result of the APID Mining operation currently in the Island.
“A lot of people especially the Home Shop owners, women, fishermen and young people are benefiting from the spin-off from the current Mine operation.
“Our shops and canteens continuously experience the influx of visitors from both our local villagers and foreign friends.”
One villager commended such undertaking saying benefits are good for people and for the communities.
“Some of us may now be able to pay our school fees and other basic household necessities,” he said.
“We now have markets available and know where to go to when we want to sell our products.
“Both our Provincial and the Central Government should assist APID Mining Company to ensure they fulfill their operational plans and delivers as they promise. This is good for business, good for us and the Country at large.”
