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Premier of Guadalcanal province Willie Atu
By Lachlan Eddie
Guadalcanal Province is experiencing a population growth rate of 3.2 percent annually, surpassing the national population growth rate of 2.7 percent.
Premier of Guadalcanal, Hon. Willie Atu, revealed this significant growth rate during his speech at the opening ceremony for the Central Region and Honiara Pathfinder Mini Camporee at the Betikama campsite, east Honiara, yesterday.
The rapid population increase presents a significant challenge for Premier Atu’s government, which must now provide adequate social services for the growing population.
“The population of Guadalcanal is increasing 3.2 percent every year, and we are higher than the national growth rate of 2.7 percent. So, my challenge is to provide education and health services as much as possible to the population,” Hon. Atu said.
The Premier added that while Guadalcanal Province’s population continues to grow, he believes the pathfinders will make a positive difference in their communities.
However, he did not provide specific details on how the pathfinders might help address the population growth challenges.
The elevated growth rate is likely attributed to urban drift, with people from other provinces across the country migrating to Honiara on Guadalcanal Island in search of employment opportunities, educational facilities, business ventures, and other means of livelihood.
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