Honiara is fast becoming a town unable to cope with its growing population.
As the country awaits for the final figures of the latest census to be revealed some times next year, the population strain on infrastructure and public service amenities in Honiara have become all too clear to suggest that this is now a serious problem.
That Honiara city is quiet literally becoming over-populated.
With the number of people travelling from the provinces to Honiara increasing steadily since the last census, the rural urban-migration effect is now beginning to take its toll on the city’s resources.
Lack of space has resulted in the development of numerous shanty-like housing in several areas, more people are getting involved in unlawful activities, frequent occurrences of crime related incidents on the rise, rise in unemployment, youth issues, health and the list goes on.
Despite stringent efforts by the Honiara City Council in recent years to manage the town’s urban development growth and expansion, a recent international study has basically hammered the nail on the issue at hand.
With authorities often being accused of mis-managing the growth, progress and development of the nation’s capital, the situation is now officially a documented one.
The United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) and the Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) have just carried out a six-month examination program on city planning in the region.
Solomon Islands have been rated as one of the main Pacific countries guilty of not paying enough attention on major urban problems.
Along with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, this country has become highly urbanized and is now at risk of major urban problems related to housing, sanitation and waste management difficulties.
Leaders need to act now to address the problem before it gets out of hand.
By URIEL MATANANI
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