Plots of lands allocated for Smoking residents saga

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PLOTS of lands allocated for Smoking residents at Tulaghi further uphill is being done because a new domestic wharf development is planned to be built at Smoking’s seaside.

It is not of political interest being stated by the Premier of Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Patrick Vasuni making clarification for more than once now after learning that there are different perspectives from people as well towards the Provincial Government’s move to make way for the new development to be built.

Many families settling at Smoking area are islanders too from different provinces such as from Temotu, Makira, Malaita and Isabel who went to work at Tulaghi during when Solomon Taiyo and the National Fisheries Development (NFD) were operating in CIP.

The islanders ever since then to this present living amongst indigenous Ngella people call CIP as their very own home. They continue to live and generate from inter-marriage and such at Tulaghi amongst the former fishing companies left areas after they were being relocated to Western Province.

To note, Hon Vasuni also stressed that the relocation of residents from Smoking area at Tulaghi is part of sympathy that the province has for the people.

“Residents at Smoking area have always been effective participants in the province activities so they deserve too to be relocated in a suitable environment for their livelihood.

“Many amongst the elders there have lived almost throughout their entire lives at Tulaghi seeing them being no stranger to the province and as already part of CIP’s family and citizens,” said the Premier.

CIP’s Premier and his Executive Government has already met and passed the area (plots of lands) for relocation which is just inland (upper hill) of Smoking area.

Smoking residents from report over the weekend have it that they have already received offer letters from the provincial government to start planning on the surveying and registering process of their plots of lands.

On the other hand, the recently announced Tulaghi Domestic Wharf made known by the Provincial Government of CIP has not yet started on construction.

CIP’s Provincial Secretary (PS) Mr Alan Christian Siale clarifies that the cause of the delay is the technical design to be adjusted and the inclusion of gender infrastructures as a component to the project.

Despite doubtful concerns, PS Siale confirmed that there is yet such a project for CIP called the “Tulaghi Domestic Wharf” which is under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).

“I have met with the International Consulting Engineer attached to MID and there were already a number of consultations held here in Tulaghi.

“They should have started in June and July however, the cause of delay is the technical design to be adjusted and the inclusion of Gender Infrastructures as a component to the project,” clarified CIP’s PS.

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