TENAKOGA community in North-East Guadalcanal was in a celebration mood yesterday after receiving a brand new three tonne Isuzu vehicle yesterday, thanks to their Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Derek Sikua
The new vehicle will support the transportation needs of the school administration, staff, students and the community.
Owning a vehicle had been one of their long overdue dream. And this came to a reality yesterday after the Leader of the Independent Group rescued their difficult situation.
The Solomon Star was at hand to witness the historic event at the school hall, where Sikua was met up with the community members and the school management to officially hand over the vehicle.
The handing over ceremony saw Dr. Sikua being garlanded with members of his constituency office, as well as the Provincial Member for Paripao ward Andrew Rayboy.
The villagers and students were very excited to take ownership of the new truck describing it as a new era to development of the highland community in North East Guadalcanal.
In his remarks, Dr. Sikua urged Tenakoga community and the school management to take ownership and look after the truck for its intended purpose.
He urged the community to use the vehicle in a manner that will benefit the school, both primary and secondary.
He added that the handing over of the vehicle is a commitment from him since he had promised after two other highland communities, namely Kolosulu and Numbu received vehicles from him.
Dr Sikua also acknowledged the national government for providing the fund which his office used to purchase the new truck from Tongs Company.
Meanwhile, school principal Gibson Apusae spoke highly of Dr Sikua and the national government for the provision of this new vehicle.
“After almost 19 years, the school finally achieved what it has been aiming for.”
He revealed that it is historic event for the community, which now hosted one of the boarding schools, where children from all over the country came to do their studies.
The school boss added they attempted to do fundraising to purchase a three tonne truck by pushing a wheelbarrow along the road from Tinakoga to Burnscreek but they could not afford the price of a pick-up truck.
The Rannongah man said its a difficult situation for them in terms of transporting school materials, since students have to walk long distance to carry school materials along the road.
But with this gift of a new three tone truck, this will boost the work of the school in terms of transport services.
The students and the staff could not hide their excitement yesterday as they took time to inspect the vehicle and took photos with it.
The school recently completed its new school hall thanks to a group of volunteers from Australia.
By AATAI JOHN
