The Solomon Island Government’s policy to build Economic Growth Centers (EGC) at strategic locations around the country is aimed at fostering meaningful engagement between the government and rural communities.
Addressing thousands who gathered at Sunday’s ground-breaking ceremony at Tatamba sub-station in the Gao-Bugotu constituency in Isabel Province, Minister of Rural Development Lionel Alex said the re-establishment of Tatamba into an Economic Growth Center is vital to narrow the existing gap between the government and people of Isabel.
“Rebuilding Tatamba means restoring your confidence in your government by increasing government presence and bringing government goods and services closer to you,” Mr Alex told the gathering.
With work on Tatamba set to kick-off soon, the Government believed the growth center will provide opportunities for people to make choices on what is best for their communities in terms of economic activities and social services for people.
Tatamba was a run down sub-station located on Provincial Government land which previously hosted basic services such as health, education, agriculture, a fisheries center and served as a major sea port for the people of Gao-Bugotu.
The Government has identified the area and since has held successful consultations with Provincial Government authorities, chiefs and community leaders who wanted Tatamba to be turned into a growth center.
The transfer of the EGC policy responsibilities to the Ministry of Rural Development in December 2011 has since prompted the Ministry to oversee the implementation of EGC’s throughout the country including Tatamba.
Since then, the Ministry has actively pursued the policy initiative and identified Tatamba as a suitable site for the people of Gao-Bugotu and Isabel as a whole.
Minister Alex said the development of EGC’s throughout the country is a rural development initiative that can truly address people’s development aspirations if everyone understands the benefits of development within their reach.
Thousands of people throughout the Gao-Bugotu constituency have traveled to Tatamba to witness the ceremony which was launched by Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, Minister Lionel Alex, Minister for Culture and Tourism and MP for Gao-Bugotu Hon. Samuel Manetoali and Isabel Premier James Habu last Sunday.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit