The inaugural Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) Day 2025, was successfully held from December 22 to 28 in Ringgi on Kolombanga Island.
Guided by the 2025 constituency theme, “One Constituency, One Future: Showcasing Culture, Talents, and Development in Unity,” this week-long celebration marked a first of its kind for the constituency.
The occasion facilitates an environment for talent showcasing, cultural exchanges and social relationships to be fostered among the various ethnic groups and communities of the Constituency.
The event highlighted the collective spirit, resilience, and shared aspirations of these communities, emphasizing that despite of unique and diverse cultures good community spirits and progress are rooted in unity, cultural understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity.
Furthermore, the success of this program clearly showcased what can be achieved when unity, inclusive development, cultural pride, youth empowerment, and purposeful leadership come together under a common vision.
“This was not merely a celebration — it was a living demonstration of people-centred development in action,” said the Member of Parliament for Gizo-Kolombangara and the Honourable Minister for Police, Jimson Tanangada.
He emphasized that the program was purposely designed as a practical platform for service delivery, economic empowerment, youth and sports development, cultural promotion, and long-term community transformation across Gizo and Kolombangara.
The historic event featured five key activities:
Opening of office infrastructures
Showcasing culture and talents
Delivering flagship projects
Mini expo including private sector and service providers
Sports
Dubbed a remarkable celebration and achievement for GKC, the week-long program commenced on Monday, December 22, 2025, with the official opening of the GKC office branch at Ringgi Station on Kolombangara Island.
“The establishment of a permanent constituency office in a rural station is a significant step toward strengthening administration and governance and bringing services closer to the people. This office provides access to information on constituency development priorities, promotes transparency in the use of Constituency Development Funds (CDF), and guides individuals, groups, and communities on how to access development support.
“It also reflects our firm commitment to inclusive, accountable, and people-centred leadership,” Honourable Tanangada emphasized.
The following day, Tuesday, December 23, GKC formally opened its second office in Gizo, on Gizo Island, marked by the delivery of the first phase of its flagship constituency development projects that directly support livelihoods, food security, housing, and community resilience.
The flagship projects delivered to beneficiaries were funded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) $1.5 million and GKC’s 2025 CDF funding allocation of $1.2 million. The projects include:
15 fishing boats with outboard motors under its fisheries development program
50 chainsaws to support agriculture and farming activities
180 Pcs of roofing iron for copra and cocoa driers and shed
Over 100 wheelbarrows, 100 bush knives, 100 spades, 50 tents and assorted garden tools
20,000 poly bags for farmers,
2400 Roofing irons for 100 rural homes
200 rural solar lights, prioritizing the elderly and vulnerable
“These initiatives demonstrate GKC’s commitment to empowering rural households, strengthening local economies, and responding to real community needs with practical solutions,” Hon. Tanangada stated.
On Wednesday, December 24, GKC Day provided a dedicated space for young people to showcase their talents and cultural identity.
“The participation of local GKC artists highlighted the constituency’s growing creative arts sector and its potential contribution to tourism and economic development.
Performances by Ismuki, Boxman, Jungle Juice, Easy Rush, and other emerging artists powerfully demonstrated that our youth possess the talent and confidence to present unique Gizo/Kolombangara music at national and international levels. Culture and creativity remain vital tools for unity, identity, and opportunity.”
From Monday, December 22, to Friday, December 26, the GKC Office also hosted a Mini Trade Show, bringing together private sector partners such as Telekom and Adventist Christian Books Market, among others.
“This initiative strengthened partnerships between communities and service providers, promoted financial literacy and digital access, supported small-scale enterprise opportunities, and reaffirmed the importance of private sector participation in constituency development.”
On Sunday, December 28, GKC Day concluded with the grand soccer final between Gizo Town and Central Kolombangara, uniting communities in sportsmanship, celebration, and friendly competition.
The GKC Games were never intended to focus solely on competition or prize money. Rather, they form part of a long-term, sustainable sports development framework aimed at:
Developing rural sports facilities
Encouraging youth participation in sports as a career pathway
Promoting discipline, teamwork, and leadership
Improving physical and mental health
Supporting sports investment and facilitation
“GKC invested significantly in youth and sports development through prize money and full facilitation, with a total investment of $154,700. Additional costs fully covered by the GKC office include 24 full sets of uniforms for all participating teams across three sports — soccer, volleyball, and netball — as well as travel costs for teams and officials, food and catering for six days, accommodation for teams and officials, and allowances for officiating officials.
“Through these activities, GKC is proud to have injected over $300,000 back into the local economy—benefiting young players, catering groups, market vendors, farmers, transport operators, SMEs, and service providers,” Hon. Tanangada revealed.
He stated that the constituency office (GKC) will continue to work closely with the Western Football Association and other sporting bodies to strengthen long-term leagues and pathways for talented young athletes across Gizo and Kolombangara.
Meanwhile, Honourable Minister Tanangada expressed profound gratitude and acknowledgment to all stakeholders, the people of Gizo/Kolombangara, his constituency officers, Constituency Development Committee (CDC) members, Western Province Football Association, game officials, the local organizing committee, and everyone who contributed in one way or another to the success of the week-long program.
He also expressed deep appreciation to the PRC for its generous funding support through RSDP to support the GKC’s Fishery Development Program and other livelihoods initiatives.
“GKC Day 2025 has proven that when we work together in unity, vision can be transformed into action. Development is not delivered from afar — it is built together with our people, rooted in culture, powered by youth, strengthened by partnerships, and guided by accountable leadership,” Hon. Tanangada stated.
With lessons learned and momentum from GKC Day 2025, GKC looks forward to further strengthening partnerships in education, health, sports infrastructure, road development, and sustainable economic initiatives on Gizo/Kolombangara Island — ensuring that Gizo/Kolombangara truly moves forward as One Constituency, with One Future.
The week-long program was sponsored by the constituency office with funding support under its 2025 CDF allocation in accordance with Section 26 (d) of the CDF Act 2023.
The GKC Day is now an annual event and will be held at the end of each year.