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Australia has announced an additional grant of SBD$10 million to the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund to upgrade road infrastructure in Makira‑Ulawa Province. The funding will support improvements on the West Makira road corridor from Waita to Marou Bay. The Australian High Commission and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Infrastructure Development said the investment is part of a “Solomonisation” strategy that prioritises local companies, suppliers and workers. “The investment focuses on creating opportunities for Solomon Islands companies, suppliers and workers to deliver the country’s infrastructure priorities,” the High Commission said. At a handover ceremony, Minister for Infrastructure Development Hon Ricky Fuo'o said the government would continue to work on reopening and improving key roads, reconnecting communities and stimulating economic activity. He added that roads are a lifeline for communities across the Solomon Islands and that investment in the local private sector is essential to deliver the upgrades. “The projects improve access to schools, clinics and markets while creating economic opportunities for people and companies,” Fuo'o said. The new grant builds on Australia’s SBD$100 million investment over the past two years, which upgraded 15 key roads in Honiara and Malaita. The High Commission noted that local companies have been contracted and hundreds of local workers from communities along the roads have been employed, strengthening local skills and capability. Member for West Makira and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Derek Manu'ari said the investment would help preserve essential road links connecting rural communities and supporting economic activity across Makira. “The partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands continues to deliver infrastructure that makes a difference in people’s daily lives,” he said. Premier of Makira‑Ulawa Province Hon Stanley Siapu said the people of the province understand how important it is to maintain the road network. “Good roads improve access to markets, schools, health services, economic opportunities and emergency and disaster response services,” Siapu said. He thanked Australia for responding to the province’s needs and supporting safer and more reliable transport connections. The High Commission reported that communities have experienced shorter travel times, improved safety and lower costs for transporting goods following recent road upgrades in Malaita. Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said a defining feature of the partnership is that the work is being delivered by Solomon Islanders, for Solomon Islanders. He noted that local companies have invested in new equipment, strengthened their skills and taken on larger projects since the initiative began. “Supporting Solomon Islands companies and workers to step up and deliver increasingly complex infrastructure is something Australia is proud to support. It is also why we continue to invest through the National Transport Fund and expand this approach across more provinces,” Roach said. Article source: Solomon Times Online | Image credit: Solomon Times Online
Australia has announced an additional grant of SBD$10 million to the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund to upgrade road infrastructure in Makira‑Ulawa Province. The funding will support improvements on the West Makira road corridor from Waita to Marou Bay. The Australian High Commission and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Infrastructure Development said the investment is part of a “Solomonisation” strategy that prioritises local companies, suppliers and workers. “The investment focuses on creating opportunities for Solomon Islands companies, suppliers and workers to deliver the country’s infrastructure priorities,” the High Commission said. At a handover ceremony, Minister for Infrastructure Development Hon Ricky Fuo’o said the government would continue to work on reopening and improving key roads, reconnecting communities and stimulating economic activity. He added that roads are a lifeline for communities across the Solomon Islands and that investment in the local private sector is essential to deliver the upgrades. “The projects improve access to schools, clinics and markets while creating economic opportunities for people and companies,” Fuo’o said. The new grant builds on Australia’s SBD$100 million investment over the past two years, which upgraded 15 key roads in Honiara and Malaita. The High Commission noted that local companies have been contracted and hundreds of local workers from communities along the roads have been employed, strengthening local skills and capability. Member for West Makira and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Derek Manu’ari said the investment would help preserve essential road links connecting rural communities and supporting economic activity across Makira. “The partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands continues to deliver infrastructure that makes a difference in people’s daily lives,” he said. Premier of Makira‑Ulawa Province Hon Stanley Siapu said the people of the province understand how important it is to maintain the road network. “Good roads improve access to markets, schools, health services, economic opportunities and emergency and disaster response services,” Siapu said. He thanked Australia for responding to the province’s needs and supporting safer and more reliable transport connections. The High Commission reported that communities have experienced shorter travel times, improved safety and lower costs for transporting goods following recent road upgrades in Malaita. Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said a defining feature of the partnership is that the work is being delivered by Solomon Islanders, for Solomon Islanders. He noted that local companies have invested in new equipment, strengthened their skills and taken on larger projects since the initiative began. “Supporting Solomon Islands companies and workers to step up and deliver increasingly complex infrastructure is something Australia is proud to support. It is also why we continue to invest through the National Transport Fund and expand this approach across more provinces,” Roach said.
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