THE re-building of the burnt down Malaita’s Agriculture and Livestock extension office in Auki will take some time to eventuate.
Jimmy Saelea, permanent secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said it will depend on the national government’s approval of their submission to the national budget.
Mr Saelea said it will cost around $2 million to rebuild the office.
He said if the money is approved, that would be when timing on the rebuilding process will be confirmed.
The provincial administrative building dated 1960’s, is located along Sikitae Street.
Mr Saelea said the burnt building was run down and not fit to operate in.
He said the building was ready to be demolished before it was burnt down.
Police are still carrying out their investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Agriculture remains one of the key economic drivers of Malaita Province, which contributes to the national economy as well.
Even the newly elected Premier Peter Chanel Ramohia has prioritized agriculture in his government’s policy.
And nearly $16 million were allocated for Malaita’s agricultural development to rehabilitate coconut, cattle, cocoa, agriculture research and development, and women’s agriculture programme by the past governments.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
