Tourism Operator Push for Iconic Tourism Hub

BY TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA

ONCE complete, what was once a natural landscape in the Lau Lagoon in the Northern region of the Malaita province (just like any other lagoon in the world) would eventually be an iconic and the most coveted tourism hub in the Solomon Islands.

The initial planning of the tourism project was developed by Francis Deve, a local tourism operator and one of the long-serving staff of the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, the concept is on creating a tourism hub project in the Lau lagoon that would be an icon for Malaita province and country.

Deve’s main intention was to use the “kill two birds with one stone” approach, and that is the tourism hub idea as well as connecting the islands to the mainland.

According to him, his plans are to build jetties that would be attached to the Takwa man-made wharf and stretched out to the artificial islands as something similar to that on the diagram, connecting the mainland to Manaoba Island.

The Takwa Man-made wharf was built purposely for the artificial inhabitants or sometimes refer to as the saltwater people for them to have access to the mainland. From the coral reef edge of the lagoon, the wharf cuts through a swam surrounded by thick jungle of mangroves that cover an area tripled the size of most of the artificial islands. For generations prior to the erection of the man-made wharf, this was their only route to the mainland, through the swamp to get food supplies and freshwater by canoe as it was their only means of transport.

“It is my dream to build a jetty that will connect the island of Walulu, Binaelu and other small islands in the lagoon and even Manaoba to the mainland.

“Whilst all the islands are bridged, this will enable us to develop a tourism hub that would be seen as an icon not only for the Malaita province but for the country as a whole,” Francis Deve said.

Mr. Deve said to build jetties and wharves will pave way for other necessities and basic services to reach the islands like water and sanitation.

“Once the jetties connect the islands, we will then apply for water and sanitation projects to follow suit to these islands.

“They have suffered long enough by using only wells and it took them hours to reach the nearest well to fetch water for drinking and cooking.

“The only thing I need at the moment is for the elites and academics of Lau Mbaelela to stand with me and render their support on this so that we can make this project to eventuate and we can make changes to the community,” he said.

With the establishment of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) and now functioning, for Francis, it is good news as there is an opportunity if he is to seek them for assistance.

For DBSI their aim is to facilitate the economic and social development of the Solomon Islands within the overall development plans and strategies of the Government, with particular emphasis on the participation of Solomon Islanders in economic development as well as stimulating industrial activities that may strengthen the economic independence of the Solomon Islands.

“If we were to set up a committee, we need to sit and discuss all our operational costs and then we get a loan from DBSI our new Development Bank.

“We may need two excavators, operators, and even engineers under our operational budget that includes fuel, bags of cement, timbers, steel rods, labors and even volunteers who may support the project.

“Once this tourism idea becomes an icon, it will create employment, it will bring lots of tourism expectations, as it now has access to airport, accommodations, and can involve in activities in and around the Lau lagoon,” Francis Deve optimistically said.

Mr. Deve added that this will not only be benefiting the Lau/Mbaelea people but as well the surrounding areas like Mbaegu/ Asifola and North Malaita. He said even the wharf would eventually become a hotspot for ships to safely docks and offloading cargoes and passengers from those mentioned areas.

He said currently when there’s an emergency arise or somebody is severely sick and needs to be transferred to the NRH, it requires a boat ride from Takwa clinic to the Manaoba airport and it is not that safe, whereas if there is a road

According to Francis Deve attraction made out of the project will boost tourism and will give the people a development mindset. He said they too will eventually become change-makers in the community.

Francis Deve in the meantime appeals to anyone who has a heart for the people and the project to step forward and support him to make the project happen.