WITH due respect as a citizen of northwest Guadalcanal I wish to contribute to this paper what I have come up with in regards to comments by NWG CDO in s/star dated May 5, 2017 to writings by Rodney Taraha.

My concern and question was based on certain points picked out in the above date private view as outline below.

1. The MP have established strategy for income generation and employment promotion through micro and small enterprise development,

2. Support of social dialogue and development planning,

3. And his support for local women.

My view in this regard is as follows

MP Strategy for income generation and employment promotion through micro and small enterprise development.

As a villager and citizen of NWG Tandai/Sahalu I see no change or improvement in this regard, no new bustle been established as such, to curb the unemployment experienced by the constituency for the last eight years. People have writhed themselves to make ends meet which was a repetitive in this part of the country. Roofing irons, plastic eating utensils, wheel barrows water tanks, clothing’s and bag of rice etc… Was not a development in my view? These were materials that added to the encumbrance NWG people be subjected to in their diurnal living. For instance where was the water supply for the water tanks or where was the employment opportunity provided for by the MP as stated in the reply to Rodney Taraha, s remarks in his earlier in the S/Star.

The only major employment we remembered created in northwest Guadalcanal so far was the logging activities in the constituency. Frustrated landowners who experience destitution in life have no option but to destroy their forest resource and environment to earn a living. Rumours have also been surfaced in sahalu NWG a couple of months ago that imported dirty oil/waste stored in kodovele have dripped from the storage site and contaminate the sea and creeks in the area which result to the disruption of marine resources or marine species died according to the rumours. We have wondered what development these imported dirty oils or waste brings to our people. What was the benefit to bring in the waste or dirty oils to our shores if they prove harmful to the environment and the people? Northwest Guadalcanal was not a discarding ground. There was zero in the MP’s micro business setup of its kind or any planning whatsoever in Sahalu and Tandai ward as hinted in the paper. We doubt as to where be this planning been done and implemented as also stress in the paper.

Rural infrastructure

Rural feeder roads in NWG have seen some of its worst state ever in recent times. A good example was the Vatupilei Tanasali road, Vura Village feeder road, Tamboko inland feeder roads, and Aruligo areas. We also saw community in action in Veraboli village upper Poha River. The community themselves decided to construct a stretch of about 3 km road to reach their villages at verboli upper poha river. This was done without any government assistance. Where was the development planning committees and projects as hinted?

The MP Support of dialogue and development planning

A very big startling entity was we have not seen or even talked with our MP since he was voted to parliament (2 terms). We don’t know why. Not once at any time in these eight years had we have seen/having heard of him (MP) presence in any important events in NWG. (A good example was the latest kakabona clean up facilitated by Tandai Tourism association under the supervision of SIVB and the ministry of tourism). We should have seen any sign of encouragement and assistance from him (MP) if a development plan was in place to improve the community.

There are very important subjects we have squandered that needs the assistance of the MP to voice out in parliament or needs the support and influence of the Member of Parliament. It was troublesome and depressed that we have not any such voice on our behalf in parliament. In this regard, we saw no support or exchange of ideas and development planning from our MP as stated in the paper.

Questions have voiced by the majority, what interval the MP will tour them or the constituency. People experienced and seen former MP’s toured their constituency during their time as MP. The current MP was an opposite. There was no tour made these eight years. People wonder and ask themselves simple questions such as do they have a representative in parliament and where is he during this last eight years?

MP support for local women

We also see no backing being given to local and grass root women in the community. Women still repetition their regular commotion as a bread earner in the community with no improvement as such. There was no exaltation in the subsistence farming practiced. For instance Domestic/overseas markets for bananas, pineapple, melons and mangoes to increase income and improve their standard of living, to date they still going to the main market which is a question mark in terms of sales. We the majority of the voters been totally missed out in the distribution of projects, scholarships, etc… As stated in the paper. We thought they (Projects) must be given to supporters or the winning voters only.

EYE OPENER TO THE PEOPLE

Please all good people of northwest Guadalcanal the above are eye openers and modules that we should have erudite from. NWG should have been one of the most developed constituencies in Solomon Islands. NWG was the host of Honiara city, access the constituency on vehicle from honiara citY, but in its place NWG was one of the least Developed constituencies in Solomon Islands. There was government assistance we have overlooked that should have contributed to improving our livelihood. I therefore urged the people of Tandai and Sahalu to think positively and make a right alteration that will determine the BRIGHT future of NWG. Do not let quantifiable possessions and money to blind you. We’ve been tugged around by the ear for so long. Please chart, discuss and interact with the one living next to you and explore the broader world. There are people in the communities that also think positive and would want to see better things ensue in the villages. I believe it will have a positive impression in our lives in the long run. You will receive the roofing irons but do not have the money to build and complete your house. May I inform you all that the above are concrete facts that have been fondled, realised and diagnosed in every village in the constituency? Born to suffer.

John Espagne

Tanahoru Village Northwest Guadalcanal