A five-member delegation from the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s (ACOM) John Coleridge Patteson University (JCPU) Task Force visited the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, on Saturday 17 August, purposely to inform and update him on the JCPU project. This is one of the major development projects that the ACOM is currently undertaking.
The delegation, led by ACOM General Secretary Dr. Abraham Hauriasi, included Hon. Cathy Nori, member of Parliament for Maringe/Kokota Constituency, Rev. Dr. Ben Wate, Senior Lecturer at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), General Manager of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) Mr. Michael Wate, and Mrs. Susan Eta from ACOM’s provincial headquarters.
Dr. Hauriasi began the meeting by expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister’s time and proceeded to outline the history and progress of the JCPU initiative. The project, approved at the 2002 General Synod of ACOM, gained momentum in 2017 when a dedicated committee was established to advance its development. The committee includes a fundraising team led by Rev. Dr. Ben Wate, a technical committee overseen by ACOM Vice Chancellor Mr. Gabriel Suri, and an Academic committee headed by Rev. James Fakafu, Principal of Bishop Patteson Theological college (BPTC).
Dr. Hauriasi reported that the project has made significant steps. The land for the university has been secured with the support of the Kosu land-owning tribe. Preliminary work, including site plans, UXO surveys, environmental impact assessments, road engineering design, Phase 1 road construction, water supply and quality study, sanitation and waste management study, and borehole drilling, have been completed. Construction of the main roads and the foundation for the first administration building, which will house the relocated Bishop Patteson Theological College, is already underway. He highlighted that funding for the administration building was generously provided by individuals, families, companies, and through fundraising events such as corporate dinners and sale of raffles tickets.
In his response, Prime Minister Manele acknowledges the church’s initiative and emphasized the broader benefits of the university for the entire nation.
He assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to supporting the project in anyway it can, acknowledging the shared goal of serving the people of Solomon Islands.
“We serve the same people and therefore we will continue to work together,” said the Prime Minister.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism for the successful completion and impact of the JCPU project.
