A recently launched cooperative society in the Kairuku district of the Central province has now set a pathway to create economic benefits for the locals.

The Givagai Timber Cooperative Society Limited in Rarai village of the Mekeo rural Local Level Government (LLG), is a community driven initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forestry and create long term economic opportunities for the local people in the area.

The Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Kairuku, Peter Isoaimo, who attended the launching of the cooperative society, commended the people of Rarai to organise themselves into a cooperative and described it as a strategic approach towards self-reliance and economic empowerment.

He encouraged the community to focus on large scale planting of timbers across the vast hectares of available land.

He also reminded the people that timber is a renewable resource which if managed properly can provide sustainable income for generations.

In addition, Minister Isoaimo stated that there are local markets available both in the district and province for locally produced timbers for the corporative to utilize.

He said the timbers can be sold locally to build infrastructures like, classrooms, health facilities, churches and residential houses.

He stressed that such initiatives would not only generate income but directly contribute to improving social services and improving living standards in the community.

Furthermore, he encouraged the people of Rarai to take ownership of the cooperative society and work collaboratively to ensure it becomes a model for other communities.

Meanwhile, the launching was witnessed by key district leaders including LLG president for Mekeo Edward Kekele, LLG president for Kairuku Terence Ray, and acting first secretary for the Minister James Enage, whose presence underscored the importance of the occasion.