MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Ngella constituency and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Bartholomew Parapolo has taken delivery of 11 new fiberglass canoes for his constituency.
Mr Parapolo took delivery of the fiberglass canoes from RM Engineering and Fiberglass firm which manufactured the products.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) under Rural Development Department under normal government procurement procedures was instrumental in facilitating the project.
The canoes are fully funded by the MRD and Ngella constituency is the recipient while RM Engineering and Fiberglass is the supplier under the project.
The constituency qualified for the canoe project since last year and the constituency is entitled to receive a total of 33 boats.
The 11 boats were the first batch of the project. Mr Parapolo expects to take delivery of the remaining 22 boats later in the year.
Before the official handing over, Director of Rural Development Department (RDD) Matilda Watesau said, the onus to ensure the project is successful depends on everyone involving in the project- from the supplier to the recipient.
Mrs Watesau said, in the past projects ended up in bottleneck situation and in light of this, the Ministry had devised the method whereby the Ministry do the procurement directly to supplier and the supplier delivers to the recipient.
She also added that the ministry will then monitor and evaluate the project to ensure that it serves its intended purpose.
The proud recipient of the new boats, Mr Parapolo, in his response praised the MRD for facilitating the project.
He said, MRD must be acknowledged for choosing Ngella constituency to be the recipient of this worthy project.
The MP calls on his constituents to respect and take ownership of the boats.
He also added that another 22 boats are still to be delivered, further adding, that those who missed out in the first 11 canoes will receive theirs when another lot are ready for delivery.
Parapola pointed as well that such a project is in line with Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s (DCCG) policy to empower rural people to utilize their own resources.
The MP said as long as DCCG remains in power rural Solomon Islanders will be able to attain maximum benefits of their own resources through opportunities provided for by the government.
One of the Directors of the RM Engineering and Fiberglass, John Stewart, also gave words of gratitude to the MRD for choosing the company as the supplier under the project.
Mr Stewart said, RM Engineering and Fiberglass is providing quality canoes that can withstand overloading problems and can also endure the rough seas.
He added that the company has a reputation for providing quality canoes and as a testament of that the company has a track record of a number of government ministries who in the past also contracted RM Engineering and Fiberglass for similar undertaking.
Mr Stewart urged interested boat buyers who are interested in bulk orders to try out the company and see the difference for themselves.
