BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Siapu-led People’s Alliance for Change, Reform and Advancement (PACRA) government of Makira-Ulawa province has announced a strong focus on improving land governance and transforming revenue generation in the province.
Speaking during a recent full provincial assembly meeting in Kirakira, Premier Stanley Siapu pointed out that land remains the province’s most strategic economic asset.
He said the government is placing strong emphasis on proper land governance, as well as responsible land management and administration.
The PACRA government’s key efforts include:
- Improving land records and documentation
- Monitoring leased provincial estate lands
- Encouraging development of idle land assets
- Promoting customary land acquisition for development purposes
- Finalising the subdivision of Okea Land in northwest Guadalcanal
- Completing the registration process for the S.S Mamaloni Huro Township
Premier Siapu said these measures will enable the province to gradually expand its internal revenue base while ensuring effective and sustainable land use.
To support these efforts, the government has adopted the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Land Utilisation Policy, which will guide the work of the Planning and Development Board and the Land Tender Committee.
He said the government has taken decisive steps to ensure provincial estate lands serve the public interest.
Premier Siapu said the executive has also retrieved several expired Fixed Term Estate (FTE) titles due to non-development and public interest considerations.
The retrieved lands include:
- Lower Marahu – 12 hectares
- Maroguraha – 17 hectares
- Waimamura – 81 hectares
- as well as other expired FTEs across the province
Siapu said reclaiming these lands will allow the government to re-plan and redevelop key areas for future economic and infrastructure development.
He also announced that a comprehensive survey and documentation exercise will soon be carried out to ensure accurate records of all provincial estate lands.
Meanwhile, the Premier highlighted significant progress in the development of the province-owned Okea Land in Guadalcanal province.
“Following the customary chupu ceremony in November 2025 and the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Guadalcanal Town and Country Planning Board has approved our request to subdivide Okea Land.
“All necessary documents are now with the Ministry of Lands in Honiara for processing,” he said.
Premier Siapu said similar progress is being made on the Huro Land Planning Scheme, which aims to ensure development follows proper planning, zoning and infrastructure standards.
He confirmed that all required registration fees have been paid, and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey is finalising the registration of plots ahead of an official handover.
Photo: Supplied
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