BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a cocoa processing factory in Makira-Ulawa province which lapsed in 2023 will be reviewed.
PMO Chief of Staff Mcfaddean Aoraunisaka made this reassurance to the paper yesterday.
The five-year MoU between the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, Ministry of Commerce, Immigration, Labour, Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Makira Ulawa Provincial Government and Pinihimae and Associates group (PAG) was signed in 2018.
The MoU established the terms and conditions to setting up Lavado Cocoa Processing Factory in order to produce high-quality finished and semi-finished cocoa for the local and international markets and is supported by SIG through PAG.
However, the project, which failed to be completed after the MoU ended in 2023, would be a big slap on rural and local farmers.
“We will review the MoU. But to do that, I have to receive reports from the parties on what are some of the areas that need to be reviewed for improvement. I can’t give the actual date when the review will be held. But it will be reviewed as soon as possible,” said Mr Aoraunisaka
When asked if the project was halted due to political motivation, Aoraunisaka said no.
“No. It would only be this asked case if the constituency agendas come into play. However, in the MoU, there are three Ministries plus MUPG that come together to ensure that this project is successful.
“It will be reviewed. To be updated. But the review will be based on challenges faced during the implementation of the previous MoU,’’ he said.
Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Minister for Agriculture & Livestock Franklyn Wasi reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the successful completion of the project.
Minister Wasi said that the cocoa factory is located in the Central Makira constituency represented by Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Nestor Ghiro.
“You in the last election, Alick Pinihimae, the investor, contested in the same constituency. From what I heard from my colleague, the Minister want new investors, not the previous ones anymore, so when it comes to such a point, it means politics is now involved,” he said.
“I want to push hard to ensure that the work continues, but he said that he doesn’t want Alick to be the investor anymore, while Alick is still hoping that things will go as usual based on the MoU,” explained Wasi.
He said that in the meantime, parties have to seek and find a new investor for the project to be completed.
“I sent the previous MoU to the PMO chief of staff on 11 December 2024. I also forward to the Nickson Kua Policy secretary productive sector (PSPS),’’ said Minster Wasi.
He further said that the MAL executive would discuss the matter on a proposed date regarding the project.
“The way forward is for all parties in the MoU to come together and discuss the matter. The factory building was already built. The other thing that needs to be addressed in the MoU is that MID should be part of this MoU. MAL has nothing to do with machinery concerning the project,’’ said Wasi.
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