South Guadalcanal Constituency Development Strategic Progress 2019 - 2023

03/04/2022

Good news for SGC! Tagio Hon. Rollen Seleso and Team! Finally our prayers hemi answered nao. Tagio tumas!

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽
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The people of South Guadalcanal Constituency - Duidui, Vatukulau, and Talise wards - will now have a ship to address their long cries of lack of shipping services perhaps since independence.

This was revealed earlier today by Hon. John Stewart - MPA for Duidui Ward, who is instrumental in supporting Hon. Rollen Seleso (MP for South Guadalcanal) in negotiating the purchasing of the ship SBD$2.6M under the National Transport Fund.

According to Hon. John Stewart, once commissioned, the ship will be known as ‘MV. Southern Coast’, formerly ‘MV. Southern Cross’ under the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM). It will be managed under the business arm of the Constituency, the South Guadalcanal Corporate Service Company Ltd (SGCSCL).

GP Media understands that the SCG managed to win the former MV. Southern Cross through a competitive. The SGC was the highest against other bidder with SBD$2M despite the original value of ship at SBD$3.1M. However, SGC managed to negotiate the settled price of SBD$2.6M after their own team did a revaluation of the ship in Taroniara on Sunday 13th, 2022.

Hon. Stewart acknowledged Hon. Rollen Seleso for his determination and vision to purchase the former MV Southern Cross and that it will not only serve South Guadalcanal Constituency, but also East and West Guadalcanal.

“I would like to acknowledge the Honorable MP for South Guadalcanal for his determination, vision, and support to the SGC team for finally getting a ship for South Guadalcanal. I hope that the shipping service provided will not only serve South Guadalcanal Constituency, but also East and West Guadalcanal constituencies as well” he said.

He furthered “Duidui Ward used to be one of the biggest supplies of copra and dried cocoa beans in the past, but lack of any consistent shipping services, contributed drastically to the decline in the productions of these two commodities. Therefore, I hope that once the SGCSCL formalizes the management and policy aspect of it, we aim to provide the much needed services that most South Guadalcanal people have been denied of for ages”.

The good news is not only welcomed by South Guadalcanal constituents, but other Guadalcanal people after its been posted on the Guadalcanal Forum page online.

The Hon. Premier Francis Sade also sends his congratulatory message to the SGC people, Hon. MP and the SGC team. He writes “Congrats to our People of South Guadalcanal. Thanks Hon Seleso and the team”.

The soon to be ‘MV. Southern Coast’ is envisaged to contribute to Guadalcanal Province’s shipping services at large.

//End/

GP Media.

08/02/2021

Thanks Georgina Kekea for the well articulated article.

The MP for South Guadalcanal will be profiled in a webinar program initiated by the International Republican Institute (IRI).

07/02/2021

Hon. Rollen Seleso recognized program for the elderly and people with special needs/disability last Christmas.

Hundreds of elders and people with special needs attended and enjoyed the program held in Talise/Vatukulau wards.

The program included mini games, singing, and interactive discussions on the role of an MP, the government, the people, COVID-19 measures, and good governance.

The event was also an emotional one given the fact that it was the first time a sitting Parliament Member dedicated his time to recognize his people who have been marginalized for so long.

He stated “These people are equally important as all of us, and I want to recognize and embrace them for who they’re.”

“This program is to make them feel part of the decision making, and know that they’re part of our government” Hon. Seleso said.

Several people hailed the event a first of its kind and had expressed their gratitudes toward Hon. Seleso for his time, effort and caring manner.

Some stated that, it was the first time they felt they had someone who cared for them.

Honorable Seleso is planning to hold a similar event for the elders in Duidui Ward this year.

/end//

05/02/2021

Happy New Year everyone. Hope all of you’re doing well. Will keep you inform on our current news and updates.

Dou.

08/09/2020

Thanks Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) for pointing out this great achievement so far. As a first time MP, Hon. Seleso is on the right track thus far. The South Guadalcanal Development Plan is envisaged to bring some economic growth in our rural communities in the next three years.

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) commend the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Guadalcanal Honorable Rollen Seleso for the creation and launching of a

30/08/2020

A reliable shipping service for SGC has always been an issue for all formers and current SGC MPs. Due to the bilateral switch, our current MP, just like other MPs, have been given less RCDF compared to the former MPs prior to the switch. The Covid-19 has further shifted the priorities of the national government, much less our constituency.

Further, a better question to consider is the financial sustainability of such shipping services (given the weather, etc), the nature of shipping company, and etc.

Therefore, these factors need to be carefully considered and well understood before running a reliable shipping services.

Despite these, our MP is determined to solve this major problem during his term.

30/08/2020

Hello everyone, please stay tune for more exciting news coming up. The SGCDSP Committee has fren working closely with some NGOs, business corporations, and other bodies in terms of mini-agri-businesses.

We have also confirmed that our Hon. MP had been offered the $600,000 Economic Stimulus Package (ESP), just like the other 48 MPs. As a matter of fact, the Committee is setting a better financial mechanism on how to fairly distribute to all the three wards based on the criteria on factors entailed in the Development plan.

A consensus had been reached within the Committee to distribute $200,000 to each three ward on mostly kava, cocoa and or poultry and piggery.

We will update you more on this.

Best.

19/08/2020

“For me, being a leader for SGC takes a lot of courage and determination in both fine and rough weather. The sea will not always be in your favor. Whatever it is, you have to weather the storm. Through thick or thin, rain or sun, we must chart our own course and stick to it until we arrive safely” Hon. Rollen Seleso.

15/08/2020

Our SGDP team had worked tirelessly to come up with the currently Development Plans.

It took us two adventurous trips to the Weather Coast; one early in January and the other in May, to gather our peoples' collective ideas and views on how they have envisioned our constituency in the next 3 years. Their ideas were compiled into this SGC Strategic Development Plan that our MP, Hon. Rollen Seleso had finally launched earlier last month.

As a team, we're currently working on the implementation part of it, which is the most challenging part. However, we have some exciting progress made thus far since the launching. We will continue to update you in the next coming weeks and months ahead.

In the meantime, please check out these two links for the story of the launching:

https://www.solomontimes.com/news/mp-launches-development-plan-first-of-its-kind/10027

http://sundayislessolomonislands.com/mp-seleso-call-for-cooperation-to-achieve-development-goals/

The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Guadalcanal has recently launched a development plan for his constituency.

12/08/2020

South Guadalcanal Constituency has a large number of youths that make up its population. Sadly, our government often overlooked the youth sector. Our youths are our future. We have to groom them and equip them with the right knowledge and skills to be good citizens. One way to do that is through volunteerism. We’re looking forward to be working with you on some of our endeavors in the next 3-4 years to have a better and resilient community.

10/08/2020

: it the

BY TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA

Throwing a welcome or homecoming party, whether it be of western or in a traditional style is a way of showing a means of virtue (love, unity, peace, compassion, respect, loyalty) and an uttermost courtesy for friends or loved ones within a society, domain or circle.

For a country like the Solomon Islands, which has a very distinctive and diverse culture and tradition, where cultural norms and values are of great significance and is applicable in their everyday life has different ways of doing traditional welcome ceremonies.

Different provinces and ethnic groups in the country has their own unique traditions of doing so to be precise.

The remote populace of the Weather Coast region, South Guadalcanal - traditionally known as the Tasimauri people; one of their most kept ancient traditions is to welcome guests and visitors into their village or community settings.

These pictures below depicts a special traditional ceremony held at Barainagho village in the Weather Coast region, South Guadalcanal.

This particular ceremonial ritual or tradition is called Tatalonga.

Visitors or guests will be greeted by bare breasted women in traditional attires, where they then be ordered to sit before the actual ritual eventuate.

During the ceremony, these women would address their visitors in a kind gesture by telling them that they welcomed them in peace and harmony. They then later would handed the visitors a piece of threaded shell money, 2 to 3 inch in length.

The shell money depicts Peace, Love and Harmony.

The visitors would then repay their host with the same gesture and statement that they also come in peace.

Tatalonga is only practiced in certain parts of Guadalcanal particularly in the south eastern region, from Moli to AvuAvu and some villages in south Guadalcanal, Haliatu and Barainagho to name a few.

The Turarana community in Central Guadalcanal also and still practiced the Tatalonga ceremony.

Photos Source: TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA : it the

BY TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA

Throwing a welcome or homecoming party, whether it be of western or in a traditional style is a way of showing a means of virtue (love, unity, peace, compassion, respect, loyalty) and an uttermost courtesy for friends or loved ones within a society, domain or circle.

For a country like the Solomon Islands, which has a very distinctive and diverse culture and tradition, where cultural norms and values are of great significance and is applicable in their everyday life has different ways of doing traditional welcome ceremonies.

Different provinces and ethnic groups in the country has their own unique traditions of doing so to be precise.

The remote populace of the Weather Coast region, South Guadalcanal - traditionally known as the Tasimauri people; one of their most kept ancient traditions is to welcome guests and visitors into their village or community settings.

These pictures below depicts a special traditional ceremony held at Barainagho village in the Weather Coast region, South Guadalcanal.

This particular ceremonial ritual or tradition is called Tatalonga.

Visitors or guests will be greeted by bare breasted women in traditional attires, where they then be ordered to sit before the actual ritual eventuate.

During the ceremony, these women would address their visitors in a kind gesture by telling them that they welcomed them in peace and harmony. They then later would handed the visitors a piece of threaded shell money, 2 to 3 inch in length.

The shell money depicts Peace, Love and Harmony.

The visitors would then repay their host with the same gesture and statement that they also come in peace.

Tatalonga is only practiced in certain parts of Guadalcanal particularly in the south eastern region, from Moli to AvuAvu and some villages in south Guadalcanal, Haliatu and Barainagho to name a few.

The Turarana community in Central Guadalcanal also and still practiced the Tatalonga ceremony.

Photos Source: TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA

08/08/2020

Mr. Jack Gege, one of the SGC team leaders simply explaining ‘dependency syndrome’ to the villagers at Poisughu, Veratabao, and Chimba in late May, 2020. Mr. Gege is very instrumental in designing the SGC Development plan.