Guadalcanal Provincial Government will soon establish a provincial capital outside of Honiara following a ground breaking ceremony at Doma, West of Honiara.

The Minister for Provincial Government and Rural Development, Japhet Waipora, and the Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Joash Salani, jointly performed the ground breaking ceremony.

In his speech, Mr. Waipora described the occasion as "a historical day for the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and its people".

He said the Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarters is a subject of talks for many years, with the provincial government renting offices from various buildings since its headquarters was burnt down during the unrest.

"... the national government is pleased that Guadalcanal leaders have, at least, settled with a firm decision to have their Provincial Headquarters located at Doma," Mr. Waipora said.

The governments of the Solomon Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have jointly funded the initial one million dollar to start work on the headquarters.

Funding made available will be utilized for site survey, land use planning, sub-division design, designs and constructions.

Mr. Waipora said that Guadalcanal as "host of all kinds of developments ... on their soils" deserve all the assistance and developments.

Mr. Waipora acknowledged the Provincial Government and the people of Guadalcanal for having the will and commitment to finally put their thoughts into a more productive development.

Guadalcanal Provincial members and Members of Parliament were among the hundreds of people who witnessed the ceremony.