BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
CENTRAL Islands Province is willing to become the leading copra producing province in Solomon Islands.
Premier Stanley Manetiva said Central province is more centralized compared to other provinces and with crown land that is accessible.
He said according to Central Bank’s report for December 2020, the Province is a leading copra producing province and contributes 34 percent in terms of coconut metric tons to the national economy.
Manetiva also said it is only proper for the State-owned Enterprises that is still holding on to Land titles in Tulagi through the Commissioner of Lands to have the titles transferred back to the Premier of Central Province for Provincial Development.
“Therefore, it is the Provincial call for a Policy Change on crown Land in the Provinces, under the Commissioner of Lands Perpetual Estates to transfer to Premiers for Economic Development purposes and for SOE land to revert to COL and back to the Premier.
“The province is calling on the national Government to revisit the previous policy to transfer Tulagi crown land to the province for socio economic development purposes”, Manetiva said.
Manetiva also called on the National Government to equitably and fairly share and distribute larger economic triggering infrastructure like the Tulagi road proposed project which is again long overdue.
He also said the road improvement and tar sealing will add value to their tourism sector and comfort for guided tours and visitors.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said infrastructure remains the crucial element in any economic activity, especially in our provinces.
“Road infrastructure in Central Islands Province is fundamental to enable access for farmers to markets.
“Hon. Premier, I do note the need for a domestic wharf for Tulagi as well, I believe that with the revival of Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) this wharf would play a pivotal role in stimulating economic growth here in Central Islands Province”, Sogavare added.
