BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
PREMIER of Central Islands Province Stanley Manetiva has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with CEMA for coconut refinery and livestock production.
General Manager for CEMA Patterson Siliota said the Government programme to revitalise CEMA is a seven-year programme commencing this year to 2027 and will be in three phases.
“Already we have visited the provinces and assess what facilities they have and re-engage farmers in the purchasing, selling and exporting of all commodities, and thus will require amendments to Schedule 1 of the CEMA Act,” Siliota said.
Director of the CEMA Cabinet Sub-Committee Martin Housanau said the establishment of the MOA is very important as government is trying to revitalise CEMA in the interest of economy.
“I congratulate Premier and the Central Islands on the signing of the agreement as it is the implementation of revitalization policy of the Government, and we are going to continue support CEMA in the implementation of the MOA,” Housanau said.
Meanwhile Provincial Secretary of Central Islands Province Christian Siale said the signing of the MOA will certainly advance the national goals of the country.
He said revitalising CEMA is one of Government’s priority and Central Islands Province is one of the provinces to be the host of Coconut refinery facility in Solomon Islands, given its highest production of coconuts in the country.
Siale said the agreement made is to show commitment between the provincial government level and the national government to advance rural growth and revitalisation of Agriculture.
He also said Livestock is dead in Solomon Islands and Central Islands province is happy to offer 95 hectares of land at Hakama for Livestock revitalization for production and downstream processing.
“So, watchout for Kula brand of mince, sausage and pork”, Siale added.
