VILLAGERS of East Makira settled their differences in a peace and reconciliation ceremony held at Nareke community on 2 January 2016.
This followed an argument where two youths fought and one got admitted in Kirakira Hospital and later died the next day in April 2015.
The families of the deceased retaliated and wanted to pay back, but the Kirakira Police responded quickly and got the accused away who was reprimanded at that time at Kirakira Correctional Centre.
The accused is still waiting for his court hearing.
Present during the reconciliation ceremony was the Makira Ulawa Provincial Secretary and senior officials of the province, the Kirakira police officers, church elders, Members of the Council of Chiefs, newly elected MPAs and East Makira Constituency Project Officer; Jack Gapu who was the coordinator of the ceremony.
East Makira MP Alfred Ghiro facilitated the ceremony.
Mr Ghiro stated that he wanted to see peace and unity restored among the families and tribes of the two parties before any new development can happen in the area.
He also urged the community not to repeat that kind of incident.
“The root cause of this incident was the illegal production of kwaso,” he said.
Mr Ghiro challenged the youths and elders of Nareke community to stop producing hwaso.
A senior chief of Nareke community said kwaso production was high at Nareke.
During the ceremony, Mr Ghiro presented two traditional string shell money, two huge live pigs, $5,000 and local foods on behalf of the family whose son was accused of the killing.
The family of the deceased accepted the gifts and thanked Mr Ghiro for the initiative.
The event closed with feasting and the shaking of hands.
