NORTH GUADALCANAL CONSTITUENCY SECURES OVER $2 MILLION TO PURCHASE 13 VEHICLES FOR ITS 12 ECONOMIC ZONES

The North Guadalcanal Constituency (NGC) office has allocated over $2.2 million in funding to procure 13 two-and-a-half-ton trucks to support its recently established 12 Green Economic Zones (GEZ).

Of these 13 vehicles, one will be delivered to the GPPOL Workers Cooperative Society.

Funding for the vehicles was secured from the 2025 CDF budget allocation under the grant component, valued at SBD$720,000, and will be supplemented with SBD$1.5 million provided by the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), which is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).

Honourable Member of Parliament and Minister for Health, Dr. Paul Bosawai, said his team plans to deliver the trucks to the 12 GEZ by June next year.

“These vehicles are intended to assist members of our 12 economic zones with their transportation needs, as transport is crucial to economic activities because it facilitates the movement of goods, services, and people. Additionally, these trucks are designed to support farmers, families, and communities in their farming activities, thereby contributing significantly to the constituency’s agricultural productivity and economic livelihoods,” Hon. Dr. Bosawai emphasized.

The GEZ is an initiative conceived by Hon. Dr. Bosawai aimed at boosting agricultural development and food security in the region. It consists of villages and communities within the constituency. The initiative not only aims to improve local food systems but also seeks to reduce import dependency by increasing domestic agricultural output.

Hon. Dr. Bosawai said that it is the firm commitment of the NGC office under his leadership to foster sustainable economic growth and ensure food security for its communities.

The 12 GEZ were launched on 4 May 2025, including the handing over of 12 tractors to be used in the zones by members.

As the country is trying to grow its economy, North Guadalcanal Constituency, with the leadership of Hon. Dr. Bosawai, believes that agriculture should be the focus in growing the economy, which will boost the rural and local economies, creating a conducive environment for our people to make money and improve their lives.

Regarding NCD as a major concern, Hon. Dr. Bosawai believes in shifting diet behavior towards local food, adding that this can only be achieved through massive local food production.

Hon. Dr. Bosawai seeks the cooperation of all constituents to work closely and patiently with him and his constituency office to redirect the focus to development.

He believes that agriculture should be the main driver of our country’s economic growth.

The NGC office’s 2025 budget allocation for development purposes is as follows:

• Under Productive Sector (Preferred Supplier Arrangement, PSA), a total of $996,000 was allocated for project materials and goods across 12 Economic Zones, with $83,000 allocated for each zone.
• Under CDF Grant and RSDP Contributions an amount of $720,000 from the CDF Grant was supplemented by $1.5 million from RSDP for the procurement of 13 trucks to serves the 12 GEZs.
• For Cross-sectoral Sector, under PSA, an allocation of $360,000 was made, which was supplemented by an additional $720,000 from the social sector for housing materials.
• For Social and Cultural Obligations, a budget of $1 million was allocated.

The constituency office also receives support from the recurrent budget, totalling more than $300,000.

The 12 tractors handed over to the 12 Green Economic Zones in May this year.

– MRD Press