HIRIRO tribe of North Rendova in the Western Province last week celebrated a milestone event to officially welcomed the entry of a mineral prospecting operation on their tribal land.
This significant event came after more than five decades since two Japanese geologists first identified the presence of minerals such as copper, gold, and bauxite, on Rendova Island during a survey in 1973.
With logging in the country rapidly declining and the remaining 22 percent of forests predicted to be logged out by 2028, both the national government and local communities are seeking alternative resources to support the national economy.
In light of this situation, the Hiriro sub-tribe became the first of the Touo tribes on Rendova to unite its people and begin formal processes with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to conduct mineral prospecting on their land, which is believed to contain high-grade bauxite deposits.
The so-called ground breaking was held on Wednesday 28 August followed the launch of their three-year mineral prospecting initiative.
The event, held in Rivonia on North Rendova, drew a crowd of over 1,000, which included leaders, elders, and members from all nine Touo sister tribes, who came together to celebrate this bold new venture.
Among the distinguished guests were Senior Tenement Officer of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Jackson Fako, General Manager of New Hope SI Ltd, Allan Loh, MPA for Ward 18 South Rendova and Western Provincial Minister Fred Alepitu and MPA for Ward 19 North Rendova and Western Provincial Minister Gordon Zebo, who represented the Premier of Western Province.
Also in attendance were church ministers, pastors, and administrative officers from the Rendova United Church Circuit, with Reverend Hudson Vaibe offering prayers to open the program.
Speaking at the celebration were tribal leaders Jonathan Zama, John Kari Zama and John Angarao who emphasized the Hiriro tribe’s commitment to work in unity and peace to ensure the benefits of this venture are shared fairly among all its members and that of its sister sub-tribes of the touo tribe.
Mr Kari Zama outlined the tribe’s vision for leveraging this opportunity to improve infrastructure—such as roads, schools, clinics, and churches—and to boost economic activities in agriculture, fisheries, rural productivity, processing and entrepreneurship.
Tenement Officer Fako explained that a license had already been granted to New Hope SI Ltd for a three-year prospecting period, clarifying that this stage is focused on exploration and not mining.
Provincial Minister Zebo congratulated the Hiriro tribe on their initiative, acknowledging that major developments often require sacrifices of land and natural resources.
He urged the leaders spearheading this venture to be responsible, transparent, accountable and to be fair to all Hiriro people both near and far.
MPA Zebo thanked Allan Loh of New Hope SI Ltd and stated that the company is a new investor from the Guangdong Province of China, which recently established a sister relationship with Western Province.
He emphasized the need for genuine investors to contribute to the province’s economy.
Rezzie Ghau, a retired Medical Officer with 48 years of service, offered a sobering reflection.
Ghau lamented the limited development on Rendova Island, pointing to inadequate healthcare, education and infrastructure services.
He expressed hope that the new generation of leaders would have the integrity, vision, and perseverance to utilize tribal resources effectively to improve the island’s schools, clinics, churches, roads and utilize economic opportunities in agriculture and small businesses.
The celebration concluded with a grand feast which featured both traditional and modern food and drinks as well as lively island music provided by the Baruku Bamboo Band of Ugele.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
