Two tribes seek consultation on proposed Mala road project

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

TWO tribes have joined other three tribes to oppose the proposed road development from Taelo to Ata’a in Malaita province.

This week, Siubongi land Nelson Laurigni, the Kwakwale land, Robson Ratu and Lagwaeiano land Paul Ratu and Ismael Anita have cautioned those involved in the proposed Taelo to Ata’a road development.

Yesterday, Ausamae tribe Fred Talofaie and U’wo Peter Uiwai said there must be a proper consultation between Baegu Asifola MP, Makario Tagini on the road access.

They said people where MP Tagini consulted for the road developed are not real landowners.

As such, they urge MP Tagini not to proceed on with the road work without any consultation with tribal chiefs.

They said MP Tagini should organise a proper consultation with landowners before going ahead with the road work because it cuts through many tribal land boundaries.

Reports claimed the tribal representatives of the concerned lands had a virtual meeting with the Premier of Malaita Province currently in Brisbane, Australia on medical grounds.

In the meeting, the land-owning tribal representatives strongly assured the premier that they will not allow their tribal lands for such development.

The land-owning leaders said that they do not know how this proposed development came about and as such will not allow our land for the road development to go through.

Paul Ratu of Lagwaeiano tribal land stated “We will support and continue to work with the provincial government of Malaita and those that work with the province.

We will not work or allow our tribal lands to anyone that is not willing to work with the MARA government in the development of Malaita”.

The same sentiment is shared by the other leaders who attended the virtual meeting with the premier.

According to the information received, the proposed road development will be carried out by MP for Baegu Asifola with the support of the MP for Fataleka.

It is highly likely that the road development would be conducted under the Baefola Investment a business entity registered under the Baegu Asifola Constituency.

Such attitude is not new the two MPs in the past also brought a high-level delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Honiara to their constituencies.

Despite knowing that the MARA Government under the Auki Communique made it clear that they will not allow any businesses that have direct connections to Peoples Republic of China to come into Malaita province and to operate a business in the province.

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