BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Choiseul (Lauru) Honiara-based community gathered yesterday for a high-level forum to reflect on the province’s progress and challenges ahead of today’s 35th Second Appointed Day celebrations.
Chairman of the Lauru Honiara-Based Community, Mr Shepherd Lapo, told this paper that today’s programme will commence at 9am with the raising of the Solomon Islands national flag and the Lauru provincial flag, followed by keynote speeches and cultural entertainment.
The event, term as a “Hard Talk” forum, brought together chiefs, elders, women, youth and children of the Lauru community residing in Honiara and served as a platform for open dialogue on key issues affecting the province as it marks 35 years since achieving second appointed status.
Today’s official celebration will take place at the Auditorium of the National Museum in Honiara under the theme: “Celebrating our unity, honouring our journey, and embracing our future.”
The forum featured structured 10-minute presentations from invited speakers, followed by a moderated panel discussion and an open question-and-answer (Q&A) session with the audience.
Key speakers included respected community leader Ms Ruth Liloqula, youth representative Mr Nelson Kere, senior government officer Dr Jones Gabu, and prominent Lauru businessman Mr Bauro Koraua.
Discussions focused on major development challenges facing Choiseul Province, with mining and logging emerging as dominant issues.
The speakers also highlighted ongoing concerns in education, agriculture and health services.
The speakers said there is need for stronger unity, responsible resource management and collective action to ensure sustainable development for future generations.
“As we celebrate 35 years of unity and progress, let us rise with renewed purpose,” Dr Gabu said during his address.
Speakers urge the Lauru community to honour the struggles and achievements of the past by shaping a future that safeguards the interests of their children, the province and the country.
The 35th Second Appointed Day marks an important milestone for Choiseul Province, celebrating its governance journey and reaffirming its commitment to unity and development.
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