GKC’s $3 million CDF investment yields Kolombangara landowners’ historic 20% share in KFPL

The Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) office’s strategic investment of over $3 million of its Constituency Development Funds (CDF) into the Kolombangara Landowners Trust Foundation (KLTF) is now bearing fruit, as landowners in Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL) were handed their long-awaited 20% share certificate on Tuesday this week.

This historic handover follows the formal signing of the 20% KFPL share transfer on October 3, 2025, between the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) and Kolombangara Island Investment Limited (KIIL), the commercial arm of the Kolombangara landowners.

KLTF, incorporated under the Charitable Trust Act of 1992, represents the main tribal group of Kolombangara Island, including Ghalavasa, Ngedoana, Kolombangara/Epaga/Lolobo, Viuru, and Leanabako.

In preparation for the 20% KFPL share transfer, KLTF registered the Kolombangara Island Investment Limited (KIIL), in which all five tribal companies hold shares.

This milestone represents a significant achievement in securing national recognition of landowner rights after 32 years of persistent advocacy, marking a historic moment for the people of Kolombangara and the country.

It also marks a landmark in the landowners’ longstanding pursuit of recognition and empowerment regarding their natural resources—a significant moment that will be remembered in the history of Kolombangara Island.

The advocacy for national recognition of Kolombangara resource owners in KFPL dates back to 1992.

In 2015, under the current leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) Jimson Tanangada, the GKC office submitted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy to the government to formally include Kolombangara landowners’ aspirations to be part of KFPL’s ownership.

From 2015 to 2025, GKC has strategically invested over $3 million of its CDF budget to support KLTF efforts and the Office of the Prime Minister in realizing this vision—a worthy investment bringing hope and a future for the people of Kolombangara.

Funds invested in KLTF were utilized for various consultation meetings, official travel costs, general meetings, community engagement activities, awareness campaigns, and included $150,000 in CDF under the 2024 budget allocated for the handover program.

This investment highlights the firm commitment and ongoing efforts of the constituency office, under the visionary leadership of Hon. Tanangada, toward a shared vision of resource ownership and economic benefits.

The recent government action, which involves the official transfer of 20% of KFPL shares to Kolombangara resource owners through KIIL, the business arm of KLTF, solidifies the PPP arrangement, empowering local stakeholders and reaffirming their rightful role in the management and benefits of KFPL. The new shareholding structure now includes New Forest Ltd, KIIL, and ICSI, fostering a diverse and locally empowered ownership model.

Furthermore, KFPL’s expanding footprint in the rural economy presents significant opportunities for diversification and sustainable forestry development.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Gizo/Kolombangara Constituency and Minister of Police, Honourable Jimson Tanangada, while pleading for unity, dignity, and true economic ownership among its people during the historic handover, said the occasion marked not just a business milestone but a new era of legacy and pride for the people of Kolombangara.

Hon. Minister Tanangada, MP, urged landowners to embrace a mindset of partnership and shared responsibility with KFPL.

“We must now ask ourselves—what can we do to help KFPL transform our communities, province, and country, rather than asking what KFPL can do for our personal interests,” Hon. Tanangada challenged.

Hon. Tanangada also led a two-minute silence to honour the “fallen heroes” of the landowners’ long struggle, those who are part of the journey and, paying special tribute to the late Samson Maena, former Chairman of the KLTF Executive, who passed on after witnessing the signing of the new Joint Venture Agreement in October 2025.

He acknowledged the continued strength and leadership of local chiefs, women, and youth, describing them as “torchbearers of a dream long carried by those who came before us.”

In closing, Hon. Tanangada reminded the gathering that the people of Kolombangara now stand on “sacred ground”—land their ancestors claimed in 1923.

“This is not the end of our struggle but the beginning of a new era—an era of true ownership, innovation, unity, and prosperity,” he declared.

He ended with a call for collective progress: “Let us go forward together—proud of our heritage, confident in our future. Together we will build a Kolombangara that works for all tribes, all families, and all generations.”

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), John Misite’e, congratulated Honourable Tanangada and the Kolombangara people and communities on this milestone achievement.

He said, the Ministry is pleased to note that the Gizo/Kolombangara constituency office’s CDF investment into KLTF has come to fruition, ensuring equitable resource benefits for its rural people and resource owners.

“This is a very strategic and well-thought-out investment of government resources with a very high potential returns both from an economic, commercial perspective as well as for the greater social good of the communities and peoples of this constituency. These are the kind of creative policy initiatives that must be encouraged in rural and maritime communities throughout the country. We must look for such opportunities and create them to develop our Solomon Islands,” Mr. Misite’e emphasized.

This historic achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of the Kolombangara community, the government’s commitment to rural inclusive economic development, and the promising future of sustainable resource management in the Solomon Islands.

PS Misite’e added that it is the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to support constituency initiatives through the CDF program for the benefit of all Solomon Islanders.

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-MRD Press Release