Villagers of Komaleai Village in the far Western part of the Shortland Islands Constituency, Western Province, are benefiting from a solar-powered deep freezer installed at the community maneaba to improve food storage and preservation.
The project, facilitated through the Office of the Shortland Islands Constituency, is already contributing to improved food security and reducing reliance on conventional power sources.
Villagers have welcomed the initiative, describing the deep freezer as a valuable addition that supports daily household and fishing activities.
The constituency office confirmed that positive feedback has been received from Komaleai residents, who expressed appreciation for the project and its practical benefits to the community.
Under the leadership of the Member of Parliament for Shortland Islands Constituency and Minister for Home Affairs Isikeli Junior Vave, the constituency continues to implement sustainable development projects aimed at strengthening community resilience and improving livelihoods.
Following his election to Parliament last year, MP Junior Vave announced plans in Gizo last year November to prioritise housing and fisheries development across the Shortland Islands.
As part of this commitment, he allocated a cooler storage system valued at $60,000 to support fisheries growth within the constituency.
MP Vave earlier explained that the initiative aims to engage residents across the Shortland Islands, including those living in Noro and Gizo, through a coordinated system where a constituency vessel will collect fish directly from local fishers.
“The catch will be weighed, and fishers will receive immediate cash payment,” he said, adding that the fisheries programme is designed to generate income while promoting economic self-reliance within communities.
A Komaleai voter expressed satisfaction with the progress, saying the MP’s commitments are now being realised on the ground.
“We can see many changes happening in our communities through the support provided by our MP,” the villager expressed.
“This new deep freezer will greatly help us to catch, store and sell fish,” the voter added.
Meanwhile, MP Vave has also allocated a new cool room for Gaomai Village to further boost fisheries development in the area.
Komaleai and Gaomai villages are located along the western border of the Shortland Islands near Bougainvillea.
Fishing remains the main source of income for residents, with much of their produce sold to markets in Buin town.
Most residents of Komaleai are of Micronesian descent, having settled in the area over past decades.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
