WITH the Rapid Employment Project (REP) continues to make an impact in communities in and around Honiara, the Honiara City Councilors have expressed their interest to see REP continues for another term.
This was revealed after a team from REP made a presentation about the project which was attended by a good number of the ward councilors at the HCC Chamber on Monday.
The presentation was aimed to give an in-depth understanding to the ward councilors in particular the new members about the overall structure and how REP operates.
The presentation was done by REP project managers Salvador Jiao and Nonoy Garcia which covers the funding aspect of the project to its ground work in the capital. The presentation also helped clarify certain operational aspects of the project among new members of the council.
During the presentation both project managers acknowledged HCC for the support rendered towards the project since its establishment five years ago. The project is originally scheduled to close at the end of June this year 2015.
“After some months of discussion with the government and the donors led by the WB, the project has received a positive feedback to continue until end of next year 2016, along with additional grant funds that is now being processed for approval,” Mr. Jiao said.
Meanwhile, the councilors attending the presentation spoke highly of REP upon hearing the positive results from the presentation.
“The visibility of REP work is very obvious and this has done HCC proud, the money spent to carry out the amount of work within Honiara vicinity is something HCC needs to appreciate,” said Councilor Eric Tema.
Mr Tema said he wants to see REP continue for another term, which will assist HCC in terms of delivering public service and community work within the city and the communities in each ward. He would like to see that REP continues to make equal impact in every ward in Honiara.
One of the vital issues discussed during the presentation is the need for the city council political leadership to firm up interest and commitment to enable REP to continue for another term beyond the end of year 2016 or if REP will move into a second phase that will build on its experience under the current project.
According to the donors there has to be an expression of interest from the government and its agencies that are currently part of REP, in this case HCC, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Solomon Islands Government.
Currently the Councilors agreed that the matter will be taken up before the HCC executive for further discussions which shows that they are serious to see that REP does not end towards the end of year 2016 but can continue beyond.
REP Manager Jiao commended the HCC councilors for their continuous support towards the REP and wish that it will continue till the end of REP program in the near future.
Andrew Fanasia Jr
REP Communications