Landowners disputing the Manaoba island airfield land on Thursday 19th of October 2017 have signed an agreement to open the airfield on Manaoba island.
The signing ceremony was held at the Attorney General’s Office at the Panatina Plaza marks a milestone achievement which will see the Manaoba island airfield open.
During the signing of the agreement, the disputing landowners’ representative thanked the Solomon Islands government for taking the initiative of development on Manaoba island.
Representing the disputing landowning parties, Patrick Daudau said: “On behalf of the landowning parties I would like to thanked Solomon Islands Government, the Attorney General, James Apaniai and his staff, Commissioner of Lands, Nelson Naoapu and the Ministry of Aviation and Communication Task Force for your tireless effort and commitment taken to reach the final outcome reached today, that is the signing of the agreement to open the Manaoba island airfield.”
The construction of the airfield was completed in 2015 but has never been used due to landowner dispute.
Mr Daudau said the signing of the agreement will mean development opportunities for Manaoba island and surrounding communities in North Malaita.
“The document we sign today (Thursday 19th October 2017) will become evidence for the commitment that we must put in the project or airport on Manaoba.”
“And also this document too should bind us to work towards the release the potential and whatever benefits it happens on Manaoba island in North Malaita and Malaita province as a whole.”
Despite their internal disputes, Mr Daudau said they see development as a priority as it will bring a lot of benefits.
The tribal representative adds, “Not only that but it will also help our economic growth in Malaita province and Solomon Islands as a whole.”
Mr Daudau said the four tribes present for the signing of the agreement were so happy because the airfield is a long awaited project which they want to see open.
“As we know, after the completion of its construction in 2015 we the people and tribal groups on Manaoba island are very eager to see the airport opened and today it shows the achievements that all of us wants and now achieved,” he said.
He adds that they will be working closely with the government through the Ministry of Aviation and Communication and other responsible ministries that the operation of the airfield benefits their people and the country as a whole.
“Once again on behalf of the disputing landowning tribes who are present here for the signing of the agreement, I would like to thanked the Solomon Islands Government through various ministries for their tireless efforts in which we now reach what we have long waited for.” Mr Daudau said.
On behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation who is also the Chairman of the Aviation Task Force (ATF), Attorney General James Apaniai said, apart from the four main disputing tribes, the agreement is still open for signature by any other tribes who claims ownership of the airfield land and urges such tribes to come forward and sign the agreement if they want to be parties of the agreement.
By JONATHAN MAELAGI