A Sales and Purchases Agreement for 20 hectares of land for the Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarter is being signed between the Premier of Guadalcanal Hon. Francis Sade and Mr. Yii Ging Hii, the Director of Metropolis Pacific Ltd at the office of the Ministry of the Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening on Wednesday morning.
The current value, which is the “purchase price” of the 20ha, is $40 million (SBD); the amount will be offset by property rates by Metropolis Pacific Ltd.
In his short remarks during the Sales and Purchases Agreement (SPA), Mr. Hii states that he is happy with the PSA and says signing strengthens the commitment between Guadalcanal Province and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).
“Metropolis Pacific Ltd is honored to be involved in this collaboration with Guadalcanal Provincial Government and we’re looking forward to embarking on yet another opportunity to further develop the Mamara Land that would mutually benefit and improve the local community and Solomon Islanders as a whole,” Mr. Hii says.
Also speaking on behalf of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, Premier Sade says “The partnership has come a long way and previous provincial governments have discussed with Metropolis Pacific Ltd for quite a sometimes for the area of only 5ha of land”.
He continues “When I came in 2019, I pushed to increase the area to 20ha to cater for the development aspiration of the Guadalcanal Province”.
Premier Sade adds “The Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarter development has been an aspiration for Guadalcanal for more than 30 years, and the choice and decision to put the HQ in Mamara is the right decision.”
He emphasizes that the tri-partnership with the SIG, Metropolis Pacific Ltd, and Guadalcanal Province has been an important one.
He, therefore, appeals to the SIG through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to support GP for the development of the HQ.
As the witness for the SPA, the Minister for MPGIS, Hon. Rollen Seleso, thanks the two parties for the Sales and Purchases Agreement.
“Today sets another milestone for Guadalcanal Province…in making sure that Guadalcanal Province now has a home. I want to thank Guadalcanal Province for the negotiation to have this area. I would also like to thank Metropolis for the mutual understanding,” the Minister says.
Minister Seleso also echoes the Premier’s statement, saying that previous Guadalcanal provincial governments have also floated the idea for the provincial headquarter with no feasible actions.
He says he is content with the plan to build the provincial headquarter near Honiara due to the accessibility of central business district (CBD) opportunities.
GP Media understands that the current Provincial Government is committed to fast track the provincial headquarter and is committing a huge portion of its 2023 – 2024 Financial Year to the project. The priorities are to build the Provincial Assembly complex and a proposed agriculture pack house.
Representing the Guadalcanal Provincial Government as signatories are Premier Francis Sade and Mr. Maesac Suia Provincial Secretary, whilst the signatories for the Metropolis Pacific Ltd are Director Yii Ging Hii and Mr Siew Stephen. The witness is Hon. Rollen Seleso, Minister for MPGIS.
The Sales and Purchases Agreement is also attended by the Speaker of the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly, Hon. Peter Aoraunisaka, Guadalcanal Executive members, Guadalcanal Province staff, PS of MPGIS, Mr. Stanley Pirione and MPGIS staff.
