Malaita Premier Welcomes Sogavare’s Call For Unity

Malaita Premier Welcomes Sogavare’s Call For Greater Unity

By Chris Leua

Malaita Provincial Premier Richard Na’amo has welcomed the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in which he encourages Malaitans to work together in building their province.

Mr Na’amo was responding to the challenge made by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day Speech at the Aligegeo Stadium on Friday.

Mr Na’amo said the call by Mr Sogavare for all Malaitans to seriously work together in putting the interest of the province at the forefront of their agenda must to be taken seriously by all Malaitans.

Speaking during a buffet dinner he hosted at the Rarasu Restaurant on Friday evening, Mr Na’amo said he has great respect for the Prime Minister, and that he supported Mr Sogavare’s challenge for greater unity among Malaitans.

“I truly supported the call by the Prime Minister for greater unity among Malaitans,” he said.

“It is very important that as Malaitans, we must cooperate to ensure that we are able to face the many challenges that lay before us.”

“As the Prime Minister has said, we have demonstrated our ability to cooperate in many fields. Let us now channel that energy into developing our province, our resources and the welfare of our people,” the Premier told guests during the function.

During his speech to mark the 29th Independence Anniversary, the Prime Minister acknowledged the tremendous contribution of the people of Malaita to the development of Solomon Islands in all sectors and fields of development.

“You see them from the most humble of duties to the highest level of leadership in commerce, religion, politics, government administration, statutory organizations, state owned enterprises and community leadership.”

“This is an achievement worthy of admiration and something that all Malaitans should be proud of,” Mr Sogavare said.

“On behalf of the people of this country, I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank the people of this great province for your contribution in building our country,” Mr Sogavare told a gathering of more than 30 thousand people.

The Prime Minister also took the moment to announce some of the major projects that will be undertaken at the province.

The following major projects are lined for Malaita. The Bina harbour deep sea port and related development project; the Auluta basin Palm Oil development; the Leili Island Tourism project; the Waisisi Palm Oil Development project; the proposed Suafa Bay Marine and Fish Port Development; the Malaita Cattle Rehabilitation Project, the government’s Rural Development focusing on the delivery of rural public goods, infrastructure, and innovation in agriculture.

“A number of these projects are hampered by land disputes and tribal differences. I would like to call on all responsible landowning tribes to please put the interest of Malaita first and quickly sought out your differences to allow these projects to kick off for the good of the province.”

“In fact the government shared the view that the key to defusing the tension that is still hanging around us from the events of 2000 is to prioritize the program of creating more jobs and investment opportunities on Malaita. For this strategy to work it needs the unreserved cooperation of every Malaitans, nothing less than that”, he said,

I am a staunch believer in the ability of Malaitans to achieve. You have demonstrated that ability in other provinces. All you need to do is to exert the same level of commitment as you do now in other provinces but this time on Malaita”, Mr Sogavare said.

ENDS

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