BY JUNELYN KELLY
The East Rennell community based in Honiara have expressed overwhelming support for the government’s proposal to construct a second airport on Rennell.

There are currently two airports in Rennell and Bellona province (Renbel); one on Bellona and one on Rennell. The one on Rennell is situated in Tigoa, West Rennell.

The new airport is proposed to be on a site near Lake Tengano, East Rennell.

The strong endorsement by the Honiara-based East Rennell community came about during a well-attended awareness meeting at Mamanawata settlement at the Mataniko river delta on Sunday, January 11.

Attendees include representatives from the Renbel constituency and the new executive of Renbel Premier Eric Saueha who co-chaired the event alongside traditional leadership represented by Chief Newman Tegheta.

Spokesperson Jimmy Temoa said, “A key outcome of the meeting was the recommendation to form a taskforce comprising local landowners to collaborate with officials from Aviation and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) on a crucial feasibility study.

“Participants from various tribes and villages around Lake Tegano signed up to signify their full support for the government’s development plan.

“Meanwhile the government has reportedly allocated $600,000 in its development budget to cover the costs associated with the feasibility study and other initial groundwork for the proposed airport,” Temoa said.

Late last year Minister for Communication and Aviation and deputy prime minister, Fredrick Kologeto told parliament that an airport will be built in East Rennell.