Japan continues to positively impact lives of Malaitans

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

From infrastructure projects to human resources development, Japan’s footprints continue to touch the lives of Malaitans in rural Malaita.

This is following Japan’s support and continuous supports toward the development and most importantly addressing some of development challenges faced in the province.

As one of the development partners of Solomon Islands, Japan continues to support Malaita province through its grassroots project scheme involved infrastructure projects such as; water supply, classroom, staff houses and other projects that continues to contribute to the social development of the province.

The ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki said amongst schemes administered by Japan embassy in its cooperation with the country, grassroots project is amongst them.

He said that under the scheme, basic social service is very important that the grassroots grant project has been and will continue to empower rural economy in Malaita and the country.

Miwa said these kinds of projects will generate cash income to the communities, address development challenges and improve the livelihood of rural people.

He added that another area Japan has also been supporting Malaita province on is the Japanese Oversea Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) or the JICA volunteer program.

Miwa said Japan established relationship with Solomon Islands soon after the country’s independence in 1978, and the JOCV program is one that the two countries have been cooperating on.

“One of the very important people who contributed a lot to establish the good relationship between Japan and Solomon Islands are the JICA volunteers (JOCV).

“The first two Japanese JICA volunteer started work in Malaita province. Malaita is the first province to be dispatched with JICA volunteers.

“To date, around 70 JICA volunteers have worked in Malaita province. Their major areas of activities are; education, health and administration.

“And under the program, we are still cooperating on till today, and we are working to dispatch JICA volunteers to Malaita in the future,” he said.

Miwa furthered that Japan through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also contributed a lot to the infrastructure development of Auki town.

“When I visit Auki, I will arrive at Auki jetty and then Auki Market that were built by Japan. These are very important contribution by the Japanese government to Malaita province.

“The projects are very important for people to exchange goods by selling products and transactions that will enhance the economy of Malaita province,” he said.

Miwa said Japan is a traditional partner of Solomon Islands and to transform their cooperation, infrastructure is important to contribute to the development the local economy.

He said this is what Japan is thinking to develop the country and to deepen the cooperation between Japan and Solomon Islands.

“I believe our cooperation is very good. We have a very strong friendship and I really understand how strong our relationship is,” Miwa said.