The government’s objective is to ensure that the community experiences real benefits from the presence of the project in their territory at all stages of the project from development to operations,” says deputy prime minister Manasseh Maelanga. He was speaking about the Tina Hydro power Development project Summit In Auckland, New Zealand. Mr. Maelanga said that the unprecedented nature of Tina Hydro has therefore demanded an unprecedented approach of “Power through Partnership” to obtain and maintain ” the free prior and informed consent” of the indigenous landowning peoples of the Tina River region. The Tina Hydro has had to take …

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Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says strong partnerships between government and the people in national projects like the proposed Tina River Hydro are crucial.Prime Minister Lilo made this statement after being briefed about the progress of the Tina River Hydro Development Project last week. “It is very important that grassroots feel the impact of benefits from these national projects. “In light of the positive updates, I am very encouraged by the approach to benefits which has seen real results delivered directly to the grassroots landowner communities,” he said. The Prime Minister’s comment relates to the Ministry of Education and Human …

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Landowners of the Tina River Hydro Development Project have agreed to extend access to the proposed dam site for another 18 months from February 2013 when the current access agreement expires. The extension is necessary as important technical studies remain to be finalised.The technical studies are required to determine the final location and construction methods for the hydro project dam and associated infrastructures. Some of these outstanding works include geotechnical studies of local materials at two new proposed sites some distance upstream from the location of option 6 previously determined at the end of first feasibility studies. The two new …

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The “whole of government” approach supporting Tina River Hydro Project has started with the education sector. Communities in the Tina River Communities of Bahomea and Malango in Central Guadalcanal have been targeted by the Ministry of Education for priority in developing primary school facilities. The Ministry of Education has already started building three classrooms in three different areas of Malango and Bahomea. One is at Betivatu School in Malango and the other two are at Antioch and Rate in Bahomea. This initiative materialized after a government Taskforce meeting in September which heard that government services have not been getting to …

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Pacific Casino Hotel The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Moses Garu today handed 2.7 million dollars to 27 tribes of Central Guadalcanal. Minister Garu said the 2.7 million dollars is his government’s acknowledgement of the support the people have been giving to major national projects. Mr Garu explained that each of the 27 tribes of the Tina River Hydro Development Project would each get $100,000 as part of this goodwill payment. “This payment also confirms and implements NCRA’S policy to ensure maximum benefits accrue from the sustainable management of natural resources.” He also added that the government …

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