Small Malaita Member of Parliament (MP) has successfully completed his constituency tour last month.
A statement by the Small Malaita Constituency Office, said Rick Hou visited the constituency from 8 – 20 September 2017.
“This is his 4th visit to the constituency in 2017”, the statement said.
The SMC Office said that on this visit Mr Hou visited Roapu and Lede in Asimeuri where he attended the consecration of 3 Anglican priests.
Hou also attended 2 tribal chiefs’ meetings, an ecumenical service, and had meetings with community leaders both in Asimeuri and Asimae wards, it was highlighted.
The statement said that at Tawaro community high school he met with community leaders in zones 4, 5 and 10 in Ward 22.
“The main topic of his meetings was to bring more awareness on the Constituency Long term development infrastructure program and more especially on the SMC Road project”, the statement said.
It said that despite initial delays in its implementation, the road program is now being implemented.
The statement added Mr Hou made a strong call to all community leaders to support the Constituency infrastructure program.
“I appeal to you all community leaders and land owners to free up your resources for our long term infrastructure program,” Mr Hou said.
The SMC Office said that according to its timetable the main access road from west to east should reach Tawaro by mid-2018.
The statement also noted that Parasi airfield is soon to reopen and Afio land has been reverted back to the Malaita Province.
The statement said that in commending the landowners, the government and other concerned parties, Hon Hou was pleased with these developments.
“These are very positive developments that will help in our infrastructure program which in turn will boost commercial and general economic activities in Small Malaita,” the MP said.
Mr Hou also met with community leaders at Tawaro village to discuss the proposed constituency fisheries centre to be located in Asimeuri.
Community leaders at Tawaro expressed gratitude for this proposal and assured Mr Hou that their community is prepared to host this important facility that will improve the livelihood of their people in Asimeuri.
Mr Hou in response reaffirmed that his office will work with the community and the Ministry for Fisheries to develop and complete the project.
A spokesman for the constituency office Richard Watekari, who accompanied Mr Hou on this tour said, the meetings also highlighted that if resource owners are ready to offer their land for development most of these infrastructure projects should be completed already.
“… I can assure you that if land owners cooperate with the Hon MP to offer their land we would have completed several of these major projects already,” Mr. Watekari said.
The statement added Mr Hou also spent a day to visit of the road construction and meet with the contractor and his team.
He also met with other community leaders on the proposed wharf and main market projects at Matangasi.
The SMC Office said that all the community leaders expressed great appreciation for affording visit to their rural communities.
“The leaders expressed profound gratitude for his tireless efforts, commitment and dedication to advance the development of the constituency. They reassured him of their continued strong support towards the SMC long term infrastructure program and his office,” the statement said.
The SMC Office said the visit, which span nearly three weeks, was a great success.
“Mr Hou expressed his intention to do at least one more visit before the end of the year.”