THE Government of the day is being asked to rally in more support to fully strengthen the work of the Sycamore tree program in the country.
This was echoed by the pioneers of the Sycamore Tree program in an interview with the Solomon Star on Tuesday.
They said, that if the government through the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation and Peace gives full support to the program, its full objectives and goals will be achieved in a longer term.
This paper understands that the Ministry only allocates a portion of its budget to support Sycamore tree just like any other key stakeholders within the ministry.
“We have been helping the Ministry to fulfil some of its policies in terms of reconciliation.
“But we see that, there are lots of unresolved issues still exist in our local communities.
“With that, if the government throws in more support towards this program, it will be operating in full capacity,” they said.
They added that, the last government has invited them to do a presentation in cabinet but to date, nothing is yet forthcoming.
“The government has recognized the work of the Sycamore tree program but we are lacking the continuous support from the ministry responsible.
“We have been invited to do a presentation in cabin during the last government’s term, but we are yet to see the type of support we need coming through,” the pioneers told this paper.
They also said that, the biggest challenge that they faced was logistics. Where, most victims are stationed far from the capital and to reach them, there is a need to be logistically equipped.
Meanwhile, Sycamore tree is a successful key stakeholder that has helped bridging the gap between victims and perpetrators that are involved in the ethnic crisis more than 10 years ago.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA