Given the importance the national
government attaches to this project, the Ministry of Rural Development is going
to take the lead role in developing the Afio Economic Growth Center. As a sign
of its commitment late last year, the central government transferred a total of
$3 million to the Malaita
Chazon Authority bank account – funds which are
ear-marked for the development of the three growth centers in Malaita Province,
namely Suava Bay in North Malaita, Faumamanu in East Malaita and Afio in Small
Malaita. Of this amount, $1 million is specifically allocated for Afio economic
growth center, which Hon Rick N Hou has written to the MCA to release in order
to start implementation of this project. Apart from that, the central
government has allocated $10 million in the 2012 Budget for the development of
this project. Work is steadily progressing in the Ministry on this project.
