People of Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) in the Western Province are set to benefit from a significant development with the establishment of a new Fishery Centre in Gizo.
A supporting branch is located at Ringgi Station on Kolombangara Island.
This project is an initiative of the constituency office, under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister of Police, Jimson Tanangada.
Funded by the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme under the 2024 budget allocation of the national government through the GKC office, the initiative aims to establish a proper cold storage facility to enable fishermen to preserve fresh fish and other perishable products for market.
Located in Gizo town on Gizo Island, with a supporting branch at Ringgi Station on Kolombangara Island, the initiative is also intended to boost local fisheries within the islands, where fish are abundant and offer potential benefits to the local communities.
The centres will function as tributaries or feeders for the Gizo Market and Honiara Market, and also as sources of fish for communities in and around the Western Province who want to buy fish.
With the local communities’ heavy reliance on sea resources for their livelihoods, the project is fitting, as it will not only serve as a centre where people can buy fresh fish but will also encourage the youth to engage in income-generating activities like fishing and selling their catch at the centres.
The main centre in Gizo provides proper facilities, including two large deep freezers, an ice-making machine to produce blocks, and a cold storage room, while the supporting branch at Ringgi will have two large deep freezers.
“This fishery project is one of the top priorities for the constituency this year,” Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Alphonsus Wale said.
“Not only will this fishery project support local fishermen, but it will also enhance food security within the province.
“This initiative underscores the constituency’s commitment to supporting local fishermen, improving food security, and promoting sustainable fisheries management. The new facility will enable fishermen to store their catch safely, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the quality of produce reaching markets, thereby increasing income and economic opportunities within the constituency,” Mr. Wale explained.
He added that construction works on the project are nearing completion, with the official launch and opening scheduled to take place next month (November).
Additionally, as part of the project, boats and eskies are expected to be delivered to recipients during the upcoming launch and opening program.
Worth around $500,000 in CDF, this Fishery Centre is anticipated to serve as a vital hub for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the constituency, aligning with national goals of food security and economic growth.
Mr. Wale also confirmed that the operations of the Fishery Centre will be managed by a dedicated committee, which the constituency office is currently preparing to establish.
“This facility will serve the entire constituency and the public,” he said.
“The constituency office is pleased to invest in this project, which is our community’s future, by providing important infrastructure that will support our fishermen and create economic opportunities for them. This project reflects our ongoing commitment under the leadership of Honourable Tanangada, MP to empowering our communities and encouraging sustainable development,” CDO Wale emphasized.
He expressed that the constituency office looks forward to seeing the positive impacts of this project and remains dedicated to implementing initiatives that benefit the people of Gizo-Kolombangara.
Fisheries are a priority under the constituency’s Constituency Development Programme (CDP). The government through GKC has also assisted constituents with fishery projects such as boats, engines (OBM), canoes, and solar deep-freezers and eskies.
“We will continue to support this productive sector because most of our people in Gizo-Kolombangara depend heavily on sea resources for their livelihoods.”
CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by MRD and is implemented through the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.
The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to ensure all Solomon Islanders are empowered for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.
- MRD
