OUTSPOKEN Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration and Member of Parliament for Southeast Vella La Vella Constituency Hon Frederick Kologeto is calling on traditional land owners in the country to open their land for development.
Speaking in parliament recently, Mr Kologeto said only when land is made available will investors be interested in coming to invest in Solomon Islands.
He said there is a big unemployment percentage because there are no jobs for people.
“Investors want to come and invest in our country but we are not opening up our land so they hesitate in coming.
“There is a government policy where it stated if the investor come to invest in our land the land owner will benefit from the investments.
“I am happy with this policy because it is a good policy,” he said.
He added that the security agreement between SI and China is to protect our people and investors who come to invest in our country.
He also called on his people in Vella La Vella to open up their land for oil palm plantation.
He said many people in Vella La Vella are seeking jobs and some already worked at the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Ltd (GPPOL).
“People of Vella is full up in GPPOL, people of Guadalcanal will not like us.
“I want those people to go back to our island (Vella La Vella) to plant oil palm so that our people can have job,” he said.
This paper understands that Mr Kologeto is planning to plant an oil palm plantation in Vella La Vella Island.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara