The National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Kazukuru Land Trust Board Inc (KLTB) of Western Province.
The documents were signed by Secretary to the Prime Minister Barnabas Anga on behalf of the Government and Mr. Hugh Paia, Chairman of the Kazukuru Land Trust Board.
At the signing ceremony, Mr Anga acknowledged the enormous contributions the Kazukuru people in the Noro/Munda area have made to the development and growth of Solomon Islands over the years, especially their gift of land in 1958 to build the Munda airport and continued support for the upgrading of the same airport to international standards over the last two years.
Mr Anga said the MOA with Kazukuru is a partnership agreement.
“Through this agreement, the NCRA Government has agreed to assist the original rightful landowners in their own efforts to address their social and economic development aspirations,” Mr Anga explained.
He added that this partnership arrangement should be a model for other communities who wish to improve and enhance their own rural livelihood in the country.
In response, Mr. Hugh Paia acknowledged the Government’s commitment to the Munda airport.
Mr. Paia said that Kazukuru is willing to work together with the government to enhance rural development in the general Noro/Munda area.
The chairman also said that the KLTB is a trusted entity and will ensure the management and use of the assistance to KLTB funds is done in a transparent and accountable manner.
Mr. Paia added that the KLTB will adhere to the terms and conditions of the MOA.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit