Despite repeated assurances, there has been no sign of genuine commitment

By Loretta B Manele

Despite repetitive promises by successive governments for the development of Guadalcanal’s provincial headquarter, there has been no reflection of commitment on this.

Lazarus Alfred Rina, member of parliament for East Central Guadalcanal constituency stated this at the Sine Die Motion in parliament last month.

Rina pointed out that repetitive promises have been made by past governments to help Guadalcanal develop their provincial headquarter however this commitment is not reflected in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

“Since 2021, there was assurance that after the challenges of the Covid 19 and pacific games, funding will be prioritized for Guadalcanal township, yet to this day we see no tangible steps of fulfilling this promise

I respectfully appeal to the GNUT government to consider this long-standing issue”

Rina said the people of Guadalcanal have hosted many major developments and it’s time to reciprocate their generosity with meaningful development in their province.

He added that while every province has their own headquarters, Guadalcanal is yet to have its own.

“I humbly urge the government to look at this”

He told parliament that this is why you see the flow of people from Guadalcanal into Honiara because they don’t have their own market place.

Rina thinks it’s high time for leaders of this great nation to recognize people from Guadalcanal province.

His appeal now is for the next budget to include an allocation for the establishment of Guadalcanal’s provincial headquarter.

“I hope the GNUT government will take this into consideration for the 2026 budget. We will be very happy if you at least put in some amount so when can start building our own headquarter”