THE wharf construction underway at Selwyn bay in Ugi island is not the Makira Ulawa provincial (MUP) government wharf as reported on Sunday Star newspaper on Sunday by Mr. George Atkin from Kirakira.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Ulawa-Ugi William Bradford Marau said the wharf is a national government-funded project intended for the constituency.
“The Makira Ulawa Provincial Government project is the Kirakira wharf which is yet to be built,” he said.
Mr. Marau who is also the Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey said the wharf at Ugi island was one of three national projects earmarked and approved for his constituency by the government in 2015.
“These three national projects are the road for Ugi, a wharf for Ugi and a ship for the Ulawa-Ugi constituency. The constituency ship was already purchased in 2018 which was named the LC Lokoiola.
“Now with the Ugi wharf under construction which is expected to be completed soon, that gives us the opportunity to focus on pursuing the government to work on our other major project and that is a road for Ugi,” he said.
“So, to say that the wharf construction currently underway in Ugi was the initiative of the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government is not correct,” the MP for Ulawa-Ugi said.
But he did acknowledge the support of the MUP government through involvement in the signing of the MOU between the province, SIG and the chiefs of Selwyn Bay of Ugi island to pave way for the project implementation.
“I especially would like to recognize and acknowledge Mr. Davidson Rarumae who was the former MPA for Ward 4 of Ugi Island and the former premier of MUP Stanley Siapu for their collaboration with the constituency and for taking the lead to ensure the MOU signing was done successfully,” Hon. Marau said.
Mr. Marau is very appreciative of the government for the national projects that it is supporting his constituency with.
He said he will continue to work with and support the government to bring tangible developments to the rural sector most in particular to his constituency and province.
