Tax players through the Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) has donated a new three-tonne truck to the All Saints Parish of the Anglican Church at Point Cruz, Honiara.
The handover was held on early Sunday. A similar donation was made on September 14, when the office presented a three-tonne truck valued at $388,000 to the Holy Cross Catholic Parish.
Speaking during the ceremony, Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, said the donation represented an important investment in community infrastructure.
“This is a very critical asset,” Lilo said. “We recognise that this is a greater public goods investment that the constituency has to make, and in particular to this parish.”
Lilo, who is also a former Prime Minister, said the capital city continues to face significant challenges, and strengthening church organisations is vital for maintaining community cohesion.
“So the work of our church to build a greater community and provide public goods is very, very important,” he said.
“This constituency is highly populated and should even be divided into two. Nevertheless, we want to channel our resources where they will have the greatest impact, to build a stronger and more spiritually grounded community in the capital.”
Rector of All Saints Parish, Lonsdale Rubaha, expressed gratitude, describing the donation as a “great blessing” and the first support of its kind from the constituency.
“The vehicle is very important for our outreach programs, including home visits,” Rubaha said.
“In the past, mission groups walked or searched for buses and taxis after programs. Now they can return home safely. We only need to refuel the truck.”
All Saints Parish has more than 1,500 members, with around half attending church regularly.
Meanwhile, the CHC office recently supported the South Seas Evangelical Church’s National Prayer Summit in Honiara with a cash donation, and plans are underway to assist other churches with trucks next year.
