Where is the development as promised?

Landowners of South San Jorge in front of Axiom Office in Honiara

LANDOWNERS of South San Jorge Island have questioned the Ministry of Mines and Energy about the development as promised by the Director of Mines during his tour in 2016.

Last year the Director of Mines toured Gao/Bugotu district, Isabel province holding numbers of meetings with landowners, chiefs, elders, women and children as part of Government effort to bring landowners together so that the most wanted Nickel Mining Project in Isabel province can proceed.

The consultation was held in more than ten communities within Gao/Bugotu district but since then there was no feedback of what is happening as a result of the consultation.

As a result of this fail promise, the Landowners of South San Jorge have join force and demand the Ministry of Mines and Energy to fulfil its promises for development in the said area.

Spokesperson of South San Jorge Landowners Mr Thompson Tavake said Landowners of South San Jorge has fulfil the government’s demand and conditions in preparation for any further development in their area.

He said Landowners are now united with one goal and that is to bring in positive development.

“Customary landowners of South San Jorge have come together and we are demanding the Ministry of Mines and Energy to get serious on developing our land,” Mr Tavake said.

He said land owners of South San Jorge are disappointed as there is no real action taken by the Ministry to move development since announcing a public tender in mid-2016.

Spokesperson of South San Jorge Landowners Mr Thompson Tavake

Mr Tavake said landowners have waited long enough and that a Surface Access Agreement has been sealed between landowners and Axiom Mining Company to speed up the much awaiting nickel development.

He said Landowners of South San Jorge are now standing behind Axiom Mining Company to bring development within their area.

“We are now standing together with the company and are ready to move forward with development plans proposed for our land.

“We have all the right to develop our land with opportunity at hand therefor we need the government’s support to speed up the implementation of this development,” Mr Tavake said.

He reiterated that Landowners of South San Jorge are eager to see development in their area.

In an interview with this paper last year, Mr Thomas Toba said the Government through the Ministry of Mines and Energy plan to launch a new tender for the Isabel Nickel Project on September 2016.

He told this paper that the tender will be for three tenements namely Kolosori, Takata and South San Jorge.