THE Auki clinic project earmarked for this year is being delayed by lack of land.

Premier of Malaita province, Hon Peter Ramohia confirmed this to Island Sun in Auki yesterday.

He reveals the project has been shifted for next year because the land earmarked for the project is still not available.

“We cannot allocate funds for project which we are sure the land is not available.

“That is why we shift it forward for next year 2018 when land is available for the project.”

According to director of the ministry of health and medical services of Malaita province, Dr Henry Kako, the development of Auki clinic depends on the land site.

“The idea of relocating of the Auki clinic is at the moment Auki clinic is operating in a building which was owned by Malaita Football Association.

“The building was very old and we want good environment for sick patients that will use the clinic for medical attentions.

“The funds allocated for the clinic in 2015 is $1.9 million but no work has done with the allocation and amount reduce to SBD$ 900,000 and still no work has been done due to land site.

“This year in 2017 the allocation from the malaita province government under provincial capacity development fund (PCDF) is $400,000 where it is not cater enough to build a building where it will serve the whole population in Auki township and surrounding villages.

“I appeal to the malaita provincial government to find any available land within the Auki town boundary for the project.

“I know funds are there but the only thing is the land site,” Kako said.