Malaita Provincial Government sets strategy framework for resettlement
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Malaita Provincial Government has established a policy framework for the resettlement and establishment of a provincial substation in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).
The policy is part of the Malaita Provincial Government’s broader resettlement and essential infrastructure initiatives for the development of MOI.
According to the Elijah Asilaua-led Malaita Economic Cooperation and Transformative Government (MECTG) redirection policy, a new substation is proposed for MOI.
“The MOI substation will establish the essential infrastructure and services needed for the fifth region of Malaita Province,” the policy states.
“This aims at creating an office for substation administration, as well as a police post to support both domestic and national security on the northern Solomon border.
“The need for education, health, and other related services infrastructure—including an airstrip, telecommunication, and energy—has been identified as essential for the MOI sub-region,” the policy says.
Currently, four substations exist on the mainland of Malaita, including Afio in the southern region, Malu’u in the northern region, Atori in the eastern region, and the central region at the provincial headquarters in Auki.
Meanwhile, the Malaita Provincial Government will work with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to review the resettlement policy framework for MOI.
“The MOI resettlement policy aims to address the impact of sea-level rise caused by climate change on the low-lying atolls of Malaita Province.
“The policy seeks to review the resettlement policy framework as a tool for project implementation to outline resettlement objectives,” the policy adds.
The Malaita Provincial Government and SIG will cooperate on arrangements, funding mechanisms, and other strategic legal interventions necessary for the resettlement of the MOI community on the main island of Malaita.
