BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Tapurai Community on Simbo Island, Western Province, is looking forward to a joyful New Year celebration as it prepares to announce the winner of its inaugural Best Zone competition.
The community, which emerged following the devastating 2007 tsunami, will use the New Year programme to showcase the transformation of its four zones after six months of intensive clean-up and infrastructure work.
Community elder, Mr Philip Koinau said Tapurai was established after the 2007 tsunami and has since grown steadily in population, leading to the expansion and formal division of the village into four zones.
“Our community is divided into four zones. The clean-up campaign began in June 2025 and officially concluded on 27 December 2025, and prize-giving for the best village setting will take place during the New Year celebrations,” Koinau said.
Another community member, Mr Obed Collin, said men, women and youths worked together over the past six months to construct roads and bridges using locally available tools and materials.
He said some zones went a step further by constructing Jacob’s Ladder walkways to improve safety, especially for people moving around at night.
“All roads, including the steep Jacob’s Ladder, were constructed entirely through community manpower.
“We used local tools and materials to build roads and bridges,” Collin said.
Women’s leader, Mrs Mina Gotopio said the competition not only transformed the physical appearance of Tapurai but also strengthened unity and shared responsibility within the community.
She said women and girls played an active role throughout the activities, from clean-up efforts to organising and supporting construction work.
“This competition not only helped us improve our community but also gave us a stronger sense of care and ownership.
“I suggest that as a community we should at least have one clean-up day every week to maintain our village,” Gotopio said.
Member of the Provincial Assembly for Simbo, Hon Gideon Tuke, praised the initiative and described it as a model for other villages across Simbo Island.
He said the competition aligns with the Healthy Village Setting concept promoted during the recent National Healthy Setting Conference held in Gizo.
“As MPA for the ward, I appreciate and thank the organisers of this village setting initiative. It sets a strong example for all villages around Simbo,” Mr Tuke said.
He also noted that key resolution to address rising medical costs and health concerns in rural areas is the promotion of clean and healthy village environments.
“I am glad that a village in my ward has taken up this national agenda by setting a standard that helps prevent basic health concerns,” Tuke said.
The Tapurai community is now eagerly awaiting the New Year celebrations, which will not only usher in 2026 but also mark a milestone in the village’s ongoing journey of recovery, unity and development.
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