The MRD team, Principal Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Agnes Bopi. Tanihorara second from right and Data Officer Anneth Rianafa far right and the Constituency Project Officer Aliki Ha’apio third from right visits Lucas mill operators some three kilometres in the think jungle of East Area’area.
EAST ARE’ARE COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM DOWNSTREAM TIMBER PROCESSING PROGRAM
East Are’are Constituency (EAC) continues to set records in the implementation of its Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programmes with solemn commitment towards elevating its constituent’s standard of living.
A team from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) have visited the constituency from 17th -23rd March for a monitoring activity on the 2020-2022 CDF-funded projects and proved that the downstream timber processing program which is a component of the constituency housing program is benefiting communities and individuals regardless of whether you are a supporter or non-supporter of the sitting Member of Parliament.
Total of four Locus mill machines were procured by the constituency office under the candid leadership of Honourable Peter Jr. Kenilorea purposely for the program to help constituents and communities cut timbers for their housing projects which is also supported by EAC.
“This program is a blessing to us. A game changer and history for us EAC,” one of the Lucas operator Kadesh Sikihi from Rara village said.
He said for decades the constituency has been deprived of such live touching development until their MP Hon. Kenilorea Jr take up the leadership role in 2019.
“This program has boosted unity in our communities as everyone work together to help everybody improve their livelihood.
A complete house at Manawai funded by CDF in partnership with the family who owns it. Standing in front is the owners son Quinton Raeha and his close relative Isaac Oahaoru.
“Soon everyone in EAC will own decent dwelling homes as communities, individual and everyone are now in serious business in partnership with our MP and constituency office to develop and transform East Are’are into a model constituency.
“Not only that but as one of the operators for our community, I also earn sufficient money from the work that I do through the constituency office to support my family. And I must thank our constituency office for that,” Sikihi said.
Andrew Ainiwari of Rio’aoa’o community added that with the new leadership they have, changes are now visible in their communities through the implementation of the CDF program.
He thanked MP Jr Kenilorea for his transparent and honest leadership and the constituency office for their continuous support to development in the constituency.
Miriam Ma’ekosu who is the Vice Chairlady for Raeao village also shared the same sentiments.
She said they are blessed with the leadership of their MP.
“Transparency is now obvious in our constituency, something that has been missing for ages. But thanks to our MP for treating everyone equally when it comes to CDF project delivery,” Ms Ma’ekosu said.
Lucas mill operators at work at Tawaiapa as they cut timbers for their community members housing projects. The Lucas Mill machines were procured with CDF.
She said the downstream processing program really benefit every communities.
Ms Ma’ekosu acknowledged Hon. Jr Kenilorea for his leadership and continuous commitment toward the development aspiration of the constituency and its people.
Meanwhile, Constituency Project Officer (CPO) Aliki Ha’apio said that it is the ongoing commitment of EAC under the leadership of Hon. Kenirolea to guarantee communities, families and individuals have decent homes.
He said EAC will continue to work in partnership with communities and individuals to advanced development in EAC and make sure projects are delivered to improve constituent’s livelihood.
The downstream processing program is a component of the constituency’s housing program and also implemented in partnership with communities.
Constituency purchased the machines with CDF and also met Lucas operators cost while community members provide food and free labour to carry sawn timbers to the villages.
Currently four Lucas has been procured and allocated according to four zones within the two wards in the constituency. EAC is expected to procure additional Lucas machines and deliver to communities in due course to speed up its housing program.
Total of 300 houses were built in the constituency through EAC CDF allocation in partnership with communities and individual recipients since 2020. Most are now in completion phase while others are now ready for roofing.
The milling area some three kilometres in the thick jungle of East Are’are visited by the MRD monitoring team.
Betty Lalama of Manawai village stand in front of her standard dwelling house which is now reaches completion phase and now ready for roofing. This is funded by CDF in partnership with her family.
One of the hardworking community members who involve in the timber milling work for his community members housing projects, Tawaiapa community.
The MRD monitoring officers with Lucas Mill operators some 4 kilometres in the thick jungle of East Are’are, Tawaiapa community.
Principal Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Agnes Bopi. Tanihorara and Data Officer Anneth Rianafa during an interview with Miriam Ma’ekosu who is the Vice Chairlady for Raeao village.
Sawn timbers ready for transporting to the village.
Some products of the downstream timber processing program ready for transporting to the village.
A church guest house in completion phase funded by CDF in partnership with Su’u Community in East Area’are constituency.
– MRD Press