LAND dispute is key problem that hampers the many planned developments for Malaita, a provincial member said.
Speaking during the opening of a Shell-Money Festival hosted at Busu village during teh weekend, provincial member for Langalanga Lagoon, ward 30, Randal Sifoni said a lot of development plans have been put in place but were never materialised due to land disputes.
The minister of Youths and Women was one of the guests who joined the Minister of Culture and Tourism Samuel Manetoali to officiate in the festival.
“Talking about large projects, tourism development projects and other infrastructural projects, land was always a setback because of disputes.
He appealed to Malaitans especially landowners to open up their lands for developments in order to move forward.
“Development creates more employment for people and makes life easier for us. We can also enjoy a lot from well established developments if we allow our lands.
“Allow tourism developments in our lands because that is an industry that attracts fast cash.
“We have the resource and most of all manpower ever ready here on Malaita.
“Many of our resources from forests to fisheries remained idol. We only have ourselves to be blamed.
“Investors cannot come in when we do not sort ourselves out in terms of land. No one wants to throw their money in an uncertain circumstance.
“But we ourselves should take the lead in developments in our province.”
He appealed to resource and landowners to seek advice from responsible authorities on better ways to develop their land.
The Shell-Money festival was successfully hosted on Saturday.
By DENVER NEWTER