A SELF-CLAIM group in Guadalcanal Province is planning to disturb the 2023 Pacific Games if the national government continues to delay settling land issues within the province.
The group is called the Guadalcanal Landowner Defendant Force (GLODF).
A spokesperson for the group, who requested anonymity, told Solomon Star that ongoing land issues on town boundaries, alienated land and the return of land to Guadalcanal landowners were never resolved.
He said land is an overdue issue which the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the National Government need to seriously discuss before hosting a big sporting event such as the Pacific Games.
He said if these land issues are not prioritised by the provincial and national governments then his group will disturb the 2023 Pacific Games.
“We will not disturb the games by force but by nature of protest,” the spokesperson said.
Another concern of the group is the proposal to extend parliament to five years.
“Do not extend the life of parliament,” he said.
He urged the Prime Minister and Guadalcanal Provincial premier to start considering these matters seriously.
“Premier Hon Sade, and the PM Manasseh Sogavare, the issues of Guadalcanal people are not solved yet, why?
“Now GP people are ready to take action in 2023 against the Pacific Games here in Solomon Islands because the issues between GP people and the government aren’t solved yet,” the person said.
However, Guadalcanal Province Premier Hon Francis Sade yesterday told Solomon Star that there is no need to establish a criminal group such as a Guadalcanal Landowner Defendant Force (GLODF) to raise issues.
“We don’t need a criminal group,” Mr Sade said.
He said the issues on land will be addressed.
“They are not easy issues to deal with.
“The land issues the group is referring to is not an easy one.
“The national government has its national policy to deal with such issues,” Mr Sade said.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
