..demands gov’t to sort out Tina Hydro development
LANDOWNING Tribes who were deprived of their rights for hosting the much talked national project Tina Hydro Project are demanding the National Government to give back their land.
After several attempt to solve their issue with the national government they have taken another step by stopping the Hyundai Engineering Company (HEC) to build the power station on their land.
A survey team who was sent to survey the land for the power house were told to stop working on their land.
Charana tribe owns the Tulahi land and yesterday their tribesmen and women showed their solidarity and staged a small protest in front the HEC officials and Guadalcanal Police at Managi village, Central Guadalcanal.
“Don’t enter our land, don’t enter our land, don’t enter in our land,” chanted the Charana women and children.
The police officers were there to do their awareness at Managi but the awareness was cut short because Charana tribesman and spokesperson Zimiri Laone broke the silence by telling the police about their fight to get back their land.
The police officers were also accompanied by HEC officials.
The Solomon Star was at the scene when Laone courageously said spoke on behalf of his tribe and said they are very disappointed how the National Government acquired their land.
He said it’s not only our tribe another three tribes will be coming after the government with the same issue.
The three tribes are Koenihao the owner of Nala land western side of the Dam site, Lasi tribe owns the Barahai land on the eastern side of the dam site and Garavu tribe who owns the access area.
“Charana tribe is very disappointed with the process which to us it’s like the national government is stealing our land in the name of public interest.
“With this Division 2 in the Land and Title Act which allows the government to compulsory acquired any land is very new to us, we only experience Division 1 of the Act where the land come under lease agreement,” Laone said.
He added that this is our only issue with Tina Hydro Project as we have understand all the processes ahead of this project but we decide not to part take in the process because of the ‘Compulsory Acquisition’ process.
He further added that the government must understand that most of the tribes who own lands that were taken from us for this national project are not happy.
“Charana lost about about 50 percent of their land during the compulsory acquisition and I’m calling on the government to surrender back our land,” a Lilen Para an active Charana tribeswoman told this paper at Tina.
She further added that the more our government prolong our issue on this matter you will cause frustration.
“This is our land and the way the government used the law to own our land in the name of public interest is not helpful to us.
“Give it back and do the right process to use our land not only for your benefit but ours also,” Para said.
HEC senior officials were at the scene yesterday, agreed that they will meet with the Charana tribe leaders today in Honiara.
One of the senior HEC officials said that they will also spoke to the government about this because while the landowners have the right they also concern about the work process.
Meanwhile they expect two Guadalcanal Members of Parliament to bring their issue before the Cabinet this week.
The Tina River Hydro-power Development Project is one of the Government’s big projects, while the government is talking highly of the project the real landowners are still fighting to get what is rightly theirs.
By ANDREW FANASIA
Newsroom, Honiara
