Government had paid a total of 300-thousand dollars as an up-front gesture of goodwill payment to the tribal land owners of East Fataleka and East Kwara'ae.
Each tribal group received 150-thousand dollars each.Deputy Prime Minister, Fred Fono handed out the payments during a ground breaking ceremony at Auluta Basin at the weekend.
Mr Fono said the payments demonstrates government's support for the development of Palm Oil project at Auluta Basin.
He said once developed, the palm oil project will bring long term benefits not only to the land and resource owners but Malaita province and Solomon Islands.
Mr Fono said the development will provide employment opportunities to many people.
He thanked the land owners for their co-operation in the initiative.
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