MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Heavy Rain Hampers Oil Palm Development
Heavy Rain Hampers Oil Palm Development
12/02/2014 (Solomon Star) - The recent heavy rains in the country have created setbacks for businesses and communities throughout Guadalcanal.
A statement from New Britain Palm Oil which operates Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Ltd (GPPOL) said on Guadalcanal Plains and North East Guadalcanal the bad weather condition has halted their awareness program which GPPOL has been carrying out as part of their efforts to expand their current operations further East.
Mr Andrew Kerr, GPPOL sustainability manager said: “since the beginning of the year there have been a number of meetings scheduled at Ruavatu and New Tenabuti communities, these meetings have been rescheduled twice due to heavy rains causing the rivers to swell and become impassable.
“This has been frustrating for the communities as well as our awareness team. We have now decided to postpone all awareness meeting until the weather becomes more predictable”.
He added: “this is a disappointment as community support received through meetings and one on one discussions carried out in December was very positive.
The statement said one of the major reasons for the community support is because they expect that oil palm development will encourage the government to place more emphasis on infrastructure development in their area.
Craig Gibsone, Estate Manager GPPOL said that “the main restriction to access is the lack of an all weather road east of Mberande Bridge and bridges at Mbokikimbo and Monga Rivers.,
“Also if not maintained or upgraded the Mbalisuna and Mberande river bridges are likely to be cut off at some stage this year again.”
Brally Tavalia, a community member who resides in Honiara said that the communities in North East Guadalcanal are looking forward to any oil palm development in their areas.
“We have been spectators of the benefits that the landowners on the plains have received over the last few years, we now wish to start to be able to experience those benefits also,” he said.
“The current poor accessibility due to heavy rains and flooding is exactly the reason why the people want the development.”
Roger Benzie, general manager of GPPOL said that a large portion land in North East Guadalcanal has been identified as suitable for oil palm.
He said it may be possible to set up an operation that is equal in size to that which is currently operating. “This would involve significant investment and would require the construction of a new mill.”
He said however: “that his would require a lot of support from Government, in particular the construction of all weather access to any proposed project site.”
The company intend to progress with the development but the recent heavy rains have shown that unless infrastructure is attended to as a priority; development will be hampered or possibly abandoned.
“The infrastructure does not only assist development for GPPOL but also improves general access and movement of other agricultural crops such as cocoa, copra and market produce for communities east of the Mberande river,” the statement said.
A statement from New Britain Palm Oil which operates Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Ltd (GPPOL) said on Guadalcanal Plains and North East Guadalcanal the bad weather condition has halted their awareness program which GPPOL has been carrying out as part of their efforts to expand their current operations further East.
Mr Andrew Kerr, GPPOL sustainability manager said: “since the beginning of the year there have been a number of meetings scheduled at Ruavatu and New Tenabuti communities, these meetings have been rescheduled twice due to heavy rains causing the rivers to swell and become impassable.
“This has been frustrating for the communities as well as our awareness team. We have now decided to postpone all awareness meeting until the weather becomes more predictable”.
He added: “this is a disappointment as community support received through meetings and one on one discussions carried out in December was very positive.
The statement said one of the major reasons for the community support is because they expect that oil palm development will encourage the government to place more emphasis on infrastructure development in their area.
Craig Gibsone, Estate Manager GPPOL said that “the main restriction to access is the lack of an all weather road east of Mberande Bridge and bridges at Mbokikimbo and Monga Rivers.,
“Also if not maintained or upgraded the Mbalisuna and Mberande river bridges are likely to be cut off at some stage this year again.”
Brally Tavalia, a community member who resides in Honiara said that the communities in North East Guadalcanal are looking forward to any oil palm development in their areas.
“We have been spectators of the benefits that the landowners on the plains have received over the last few years, we now wish to start to be able to experience those benefits also,” he said.
“The current poor accessibility due to heavy rains and flooding is exactly the reason why the people want the development.”
Roger Benzie, general manager of GPPOL said that a large portion land in North East Guadalcanal has been identified as suitable for oil palm.
He said it may be possible to set up an operation that is equal in size to that which is currently operating. “This would involve significant investment and would require the construction of a new mill.”
He said however: “that his would require a lot of support from Government, in particular the construction of all weather access to any proposed project site.”
The company intend to progress with the development but the recent heavy rains have shown that unless infrastructure is attended to as a priority; development will be hampered or possibly abandoned.
“The infrastructure does not only assist development for GPPOL but also improves general access and movement of other agricultural crops such as cocoa, copra and market produce for communities east of the Mberande river,” the statement said.