The Council of Chiefs of Santo in SANMA Province has joined the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Jotham Napat, to display the first smile of confidence towards an imminent new dawn of opportunity as they ended the first preparatory stage towards the proposed Economic Development Zone (EDZ) to be set up through Public Private Partnership at the former Jubilee Farm, when the chiefs accepted a custom ceremony organized by the Government at the entrance of the Sanma Council of Chiefs Nakamal last Thursday.

All SANMA MPs were present to witness the historic event.

While economic growth is seen as important, it is to be pursued in a balanced way that ensures integrity of the natural environment is maintained; benefits are shared among the wider population; and the country’s cultural heritage continues to underpin a peaceful, just and inclusive society. In relation to the economy, it seeks to improve the country’s attractiveness for private investors and encourage greater investment in rural areas. To achieve this it emphasizes improving business regulation, infrastructure services, urban-rural linkages and the capabilities of, and opportunities for, citizens to actively participate in the formal economy, which if this policy is implemented successfully will contribute big time in this regard.

DG Amos said the EDZ Project would begin with a first five-year period focusing on agro-related industries.

After heated exchanges of views from the chiefs and custom landowners of Santo as was expected, the Deputy Prime Minister replied with a thinly veiled warning that as much as the Government is determined to help develop the biggest and resource richest island in the country, the leaders and landowners of Santo have to decide now either to work with the Government as he is prepared to turn to other provinces including Malampa Province to negotiate the EDZ there.

Very quickly a 30-year old doctor from Fanafo, Dr. Donald Tangis who graduated in Cuba, stood up and welcomed the proposed EDZ to be set up on the current site of the former Jubilee Farm. He was speaking on behalf of the custom landowners of Fanafo.

After the forum, he told the Daily Post that he was speaking on behalf of his uncles who respected him and would not speak against his words. Another advantage is that Dr. Tangis can see outside the box.

His green light was immediately followed by Santo’s own indigenous former political leader, Kalo Niel of Hog Harbour who said the proposed EDZ is spot on as it falls in line with the vision of the Leaders of the country’s Independence Struggle, who foretold an era of economic independence following its political independence.

Mr. Niel was cheered by the forum with hand clapping when he pleaded with the Government to keep the EDZ on the ground at Fanafo.

Both DGs joined the Deputy Prime Minister to assure the Forum that the success story of the EDZ on Santo would be replicated in other Provinces as well.

The Forum has made an impact on the mindset of the chiefs and landowners of Santo as everyone that I spoke to who was at the meeting spoke well of what is to come.

Their positive reaction brings to mind an appeal by one former Prime Minister, the late Edward Natapei who addressed the chiefs and landowners and people of Santo and SANMA at the launching of Pekoa International Terminal some years ago.

He spoke with words to this effect, “Chiefs, landowners and people of Santo, if you want development to come to Santo, first of all you have to adopt a mentality change and start thinking outside the box that Santo is not only for ‘man Santo’ but for everyone including investors interested to invest here because they have the financial wealth to do so”.

This time around, the Deputy Prime Minister has given his technicians two months to complete the Forum Outcome Document for submission to the Council of Ministers for approval.

First Political Adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture, Joe Ligo’s advice to the Forum was unanimously accepted for the outcome document to include the recognition of the right of the landowners in any such economic development projects.