BY NED GAGAHE

IN a rural setting where many small businesses rise and fall within a few years, Mr Moffet Pade stands out as a symbol of resilience, determination and community service in Sepi village, Bugotu District, Gao Bugotu Constituency.

Mr Pade is the owner of MMP Canteen, a business venture he started in 2009. Like many rural entrepreneurs, the early years were not easy.

“The first years were a struggle. I faced many ups and downs, but I did not give up,” Mr Pade recalled.

It was not until 2019 that his business began to expand beyond a small village canteen. Today, MMP Canteen has grown into a multi-service rural business hub, providing goods and services that are rarely found outside urban centres like Honiara.

Using solar power, Mr Pade sells frozen chicken, sausages, cool drinks, ice blocks and other frozen foods a major convenience for villagers, students and teachers. He also sells clothing, fishing gear and household items, while providing mobile banking and M-Selen services that have become a lifeline for the surrounding communities.

His business is strategically located just a few meters from Kalenga Primary School and Kalenga Community High School, making it a central point for students, teachers and parents from Sepi, Suva and nearby communities such as Thathaje.

“My main customers are students, teachers and the communities around here. The services I provide help sustain my family and also help the community,” he said.

Beyond retail, Mr Pade is actively involved in buying and selling marine products such as beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) and trochus, which he supplies to buyers in Honiara.

He also runs an esky fish business, buying fish from local fishermen and transporting them to the capital.

He is also a frequent supporter of Kalenga School, assisting teachers who transfer money using mobile banking to access cash locally. Parents also use his services to send school fees for their children, reducing the need for costly and risky travel to Buala or Honiara.

While many canteens have opened and closed over the years in Sepi and neighbouring Suva, MMP Canteen has not only survived but expanded.

“When a lot of businesses fail, he still stands. He is always ready to help the school and the people,” said one community member.

Despite his success, Mr Pade said operating a business in a rural setting comes with serious challenges, with shipping services topping the list.

“We are only about a three-hour boat ride from Honiara, but cargo ships come here only once a month — if we are lucky,” he said.

Decade ago, Isabel Development Company (IDC) operated several ships, with Sepi receiving three to four ship visits each week. Today, only MV Onogou services the area, usually once a month. Other vessels that once operated the route have since stopped or shifted to shorter routes such as Sigana–Buala or Vulavu–Susubona.

When ships do not call at Sepi, Mr Pade often has to spend close to SBD $1,000 on fuel to collect cargo from Lepi or Sigana.

“This is very expensive. But when communities need basic goods, I have no choice,” he said.

At times of low stock, he sends his workers by outboard motor to Honiara to purchase supplies directly — another costly but necessary option to keep the business running.

Another major challenge is credit.

“The circulation of money in the village is very small. People often ask for goods on credit. This weakens cash flow in the shop,” Mr Pade explained.

Despite this, he maintains good relationships with teachers, students and community members, understanding the financial realities of rural life.

Improved telecommunications have recently brought some relief. With the launch of a new mobile tower at Sepi, mobile banking and M-Selen services have become more reliable and widely used.

“I help people withdraw cash, send money and receive money.

“Seasonal workers are now sending money home to their families, and parents are sending school fees for their children,” Mr Pade said.

He acknowledged that demand for these services is high and said he hopes to formally register as an agent rather than relying on his personal wallet.

“I want to thank Telekom.

“These services have transformed the way we do business in rural areas. Money transfers are now at our fingertips. Services are right at our doorstep,” he said.

Asked what keeps him going despite the many obstacles, Mr Pade pointed to family and perseverance.

“I am a man who struggles. To sustain life, I must work.

“My determination is to support my children’s education and my family,” he said.

Through his business ventures, Mr Pade has successfully supported his children through higher education. One of his daughters has already graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU), while two younger daughters are still studying there.

Looking ahead, he believes development must reach rural communities.

“A lot of benefits should come down to the rural areas.

“Government services and support must come to us through our members. Rural people also deserve opportunities,” he said.

In Sepi, Moffet Pade’s story is more than just about business. It is about resilience, service and the quiet determination that keeps rural communities moving forward.

*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)

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