THE Pacific Games is not just two weeks of sporting event but it is a catalyst of development projects in the country.
This was according to the Chairman of the National Hosting Authority (NHA), Dr Jimmie Rodgers.
Dr Rodgers was responding to criticism from the public that money going towards the Pacific Games should be diverted for other areas of priority in the country.
“There’s a lot of talk about whether the Pacific Games should be delayed or left out so the money for the Games can be redirected to support other priorities the country has.
“The Pacific Games is not just about two weeks of Games but is a catalyst major development projects and billions of dollars.
“Some major development projects are the Kukum Highway and our International Airport, because their target is for the Pacific Games.
“Without the Pacific Games those programs would have stalled, because of Covid-19 some of them would have been cancelled but because the Pacific Games is coming, the donors had an extended grace period so that they can actually deliver on these programs,” he explained.
Dr Rodgers said the country will receive billions of dollars of development fund over the next 20 months.
“Right now as we speak, the only major development project going on at fast rate in the country is the construction of the Pacific Games facilities.
“That’s looking at throwing into our economy in the next 20 months almost 1.5Billion of development funds
“We cannot get that fund in any other programs.
“These are funds that development partners put in so that we can have facilities not just of the Games, but facilities that will live on after the Games so that our people, especially our young people, our sports people can use as a legacy,” he added.
By CARLOS ARUAFUNewsroom, Honiara