By Loretta B Manele
The first land recording office will be built in Auki in 2025 to keep records of all customary land on Malaita.
Polycarp Paea, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey stated this at the recent Sine Die Motion in parliament.
He expressed that cabinet has already endorsed the customary land recording program and it has secured a funding of SBD 5.5 million in the 2025 budget.
Paea said under this project, his ministry will focus on the recording of land around urban centres within constituencies including constituency development centres.
He stated that through the project, the first land recording office will be built in Auki in 2025 to keep records of all customary land on Malaita.
Paea added that Guadalcanal and Western provinces land recording office buildings are next in line for 2026.
He said another achievement this year is the endorsement of the review of the greater Honiara Urban development strategy policy which was approved by cabinet within the 100 days’ timeframe.
Paea stated that in terms of funding, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already approved funding of technical support and consultations are progressing.
He stressed that GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation) recognizes the importance of rolling out similar programs to other provinces and has selected Auki to be the next urban area to benefit from this program.
Paea said the greater Auki development program is progressing well and cabinet is expected to formally endorse this initiative early next year.
“This commitment from GNUT signifies the onset of a new chapter characterized by mutual respect, a shared vision and unified purpose between the Malaita provincial government and the national government”
Paea said the government has allocated 1 million for the greater Honiara and greater Auki program and ADB’s co-funding of technical support for the greater Auki project is valued at USD 500,000.
“I want to thank ADB for co-funding technical support for greater Auki valued at USD 500,000”
He noted that ADB’s engagement in funding technical support and consultations reflect their commitment to help improve urban governance and planning.
