The Tina River Hydropower Development Project has formalised a customary reconciliation process with the Roha and Gaegae tribes through a Chupu Ceremony at the Powerhouse site, alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
The ceremony, held on July 28 in Central Guadalcanal, brought together representatives of the Roha and Gaegae tribes, Habusi/Komureo and surrounding communities, the Tina River Hydropower Project Office, Tina Hydropower Limited, Hyundai Engineering Company and government agencies.
The Chupu is an important Guadalcanal customary protocol and was conducted to acknowledge the traditional land rights of the affected tribes and address the impact of project construction activities on Roha and Gaegae customary land.
It also provided an opportunity for the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited to reaffirm their respect for customary authority and engage with the tribes over the ongoing process of acquiring additional land around the Powerhouse area.
Customary protocol and land acquisition
The first Chupu was presented by Project Office representatives Baltazare Rongo and John Korinihona to the Roha Tribe and received by Chief Daniel Una.
A second Chupu was presented to representatives of Chango Land and received by Berry Kepulu on behalf of his father and Gaegae tribal representatives.
Project Manager Pradip Verma, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, thanked the tribes for accepting the Chupu and acknowledged complications in the land acquisition process.
Verma said the government was grateful for the patience and understanding shown by affected tribes while the Commissioner of Lands progresses the formal process.
Chief Una formally accepted the Chupu on behalf of the Roha Tribe and commended the Project Office and Tina Hydropower Limited for engaging with the tribes through customary protocol.
He described the approach as a demonstration of respect for Guadalcanal cultural traditions and called on members of the Roha Tribe to uphold the significance and intent of the customary presentation.
Berry Kepulu similarly accepted the Chupu on behalf of the Gaegae Tribe and Chango Land representatives, affirming their willingness to work with the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding land matters.
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Surveyor General Leslie Volalia, representing the Commissioner of Lands, stressed that the Chupu Ceremony complements but does not replace the formal statutory land acquisition process.
He said the customary land identification and acquisition process would begin once the newly appointed Commissioner of Lands formally assumes office.
MOU reinforces cooperation
Chief Whitlam Kikolo, chairman of the Bahomea House of Chiefs, described the ceremony as an important step toward rebuilding relationships and strengthening cooperation among the parties.
He called on tribal members and other stakeholders to respect the significance of the ceremony and the government's gesture, noting the continuing importance of Chupu as a customary practice of the Guadalcanal people.
The ceremony concluded with the review, endorsement and signing of a memorandum of understanding involving representatives of the landowning tribes, the Project Office, Tina Hydropower Limited and Hyundai Engineering Company, witnessed by representatives of the participating parties.
The agreement and customary ceremony are intended to support continued communication and engagement while the statutory land identification and acquisition process proceeds.
The project office said the ceremony marked a milestone in strengthening goodwill and mutual respect between the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and customary landowners in the Powerhouse area.
It also highlighted the project's approach of incorporating customary cultural protocols into stakeholder engagement while maintaining compliance with the formal legal requirements governing land acquisition.
First large-scale renewable energy project
The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is the Solomon Islands' first large-scale renewable energy project and is intended to provide more affordable electricity and improve access to cleaner and more reliable energy for communities.
The project is being implemented by the Solomon Islands Government with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Asian Development Bank, Australian government, Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund and World Bank.
