Oliveti struggles to access basic services in Choiseul province
Nestled deep in the middle bush of Tepazaka Ward 6, Northwest Choiseul, Oliveti village remains one of the most isolated communities in Choiseul Province.
Despite the passage of time and government programs across the province, Oliveti continues to be largely forgotten when it comes to basic services.
Residents say access to education, healthcare and sanitation remains a major challenge.
The village has no formal school, forcing children to leave the village in search for education.
Healthcare services in the area are almost non-existent, leaving villagers vulnerable to preventable illnesses.
Although the community has a fully constructed clinic building, it remains unused as no nurse has been assigned to operate the facility.
“We have repeatedly raised our concerns with local health authorities but feel our pleas have largely gone unheard,” Said Oliveti community chief, Mr Raziva Vatukikesa.
“We are forgotten. We live here, we work hard, but we rarely see support. Our children and our health are suffering because basic services never reach us,” he said.
Even routine constituency support is rarely delivered to Oliveti, with essential supplies and development programs barely reaching the community.
Life in Oliveti is sustained largely through local initiative.
Villagers earn an income by marketing and selling garden produce and handmade cultural arts, relying on their skills and natural resources for survival.
While these efforts provide some financial support, the lack of infrastructure and basic services continues to hinder the village’s development.
Access to education, healthcare, and sanitation is fundamental for sustainable growth and improved livelihoods.
Without these, residents remain trapped in cycles of poverty despite their efforts to support themselves.
As Choiseul province continues to develop, villagers of Oliveti hope their voices will finally be heard and that attention and support will reach their remote homes.
The forgotten village is calling for recognition, infrastructure, and services that many other communities take for granted.
By GEHAZI SEKO
Solomon Star Stringer
