Supervising Home Affairs Minister encourages public support for HCC
The Hon. John Tuhaika Junior, Supervising Minister of Home Affairs, is encouraging Honiara City Residents to work in solidarity with the Honiara City Council (HCC) to make Honiara a pleasant and livable city that everyone enjoys.
Speaking at the HCC Lord Mayor’s 47th Independence Anniversary Island Feast last Friday, Hon Tuhaika Junior paid tribute to the City Council for the tireless efforts made over the years to ensure Honiara remains a livable and safe place for citizens to live and do business.
Honiara City was established when the capital was moved from Tulagi on Gela in the Central Islands Province after World War II in 1945.
After 47 years of Independence, Honiara City remains the Capital Seat of the country, hosting diverse cultures, people, religions, business activities, incoming visitors from abroad, a national referral hospital, a National University, a good number of schools, and other basic infrastructure and services.
Hon Tuhaika Junior acknowledged that the burden of caring for Honiara City is not easy. With the recent amendments to the HCC Act in 2023, the Council now has certain powers, including the HCC Law Enforcement Team, to tackle challenging issues relating to pollution and illegal selling of certain products within Honiara City.
These fundamental reforms helped the city and people to be more responsible in the day-to-day health, hygiene, and safety of Honiara residents. These reforms also bring back trust and confidence from the public towards the HCC.
“As our Honiara city grows, there also has to be a growth mindset that goes with it, and all residents in Honiara must always understand that the peace and security of this city is our shared responsibility,” he said.
“We have to work together and support our HCC to ensure its mandate is practically harmonized with our obligations as Honiara residents. Many times, we blame all our shortcomings on HCC when it comes to littering and pollution in our respective residences,” Hon Tuhaika Junior said.
“However, we must always have the courage to contribute to cleaning our surroundings, ensure garbage is properly disposed and so forth. The HCC was not meant to work alone, but to work with all of us in the city. You all will agree with me that through our shared cooperation, we can achieve better for our Honiara City,” Tuhaika Junior said.
Minister Tuhaika Junior commended the Honiara City Council for hosting and providing necessary services for Honiara residents, in terms of health clinics, schools, market venues, and others, which must be acknowledged and appreciated.
“The contributions made by HCC for our Honiara city and residents are immense. We all benefit from them in many ways, and we must commend and appreciate HCC for this lasting legacy,” Hon Tuhaika Junior said.
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-GCU Press Release