Minister of Infrastructure Development (MID) Ricky Fuo’o says he’s delighted with the rapid roll-out of road upgrades led by local contractors under the Australian-supported National Transport Fund Road Improvement Project.
Speaking during a site visit to ongoing roadworks in Honiara alongside Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, Minister Fuo’o highlighted the progress made.
“These high-quality works are delivering for our people – improving badly deteriorated roads, reducing wear and tear on our vehicles, and helping people get to market, services, and schools,” he said.
Locally owned company EMCO is completing tar sealing of the road to FFA, followed by tar sealing sections of Down Kola and key roads in Chinatown.
The SBD60 million (AUD11 million) roads partnership, announced in late June by Australia and Solomon Islands, aims to enhance economic and social activities while ensuring all work is delivered by Solomon Islands contractors.
The rapid rollout, which supported the hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, is targeting 11 economic corridors for development and transport in Honiara and Malaita identified by the Solomon Islands Government.
High Commissioner Hilton commended the progress, saying the upgrades have already played a vital role in facilitating a successful Pacific Leaders Meeting.
He also highlighted the project’s focus on both quality and local content, creating skilled jobs that would benefit Solomon Islands for years to come.
“Today, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a highly motivated road works team who have stepped up to deliver sealed roadworks to a very high standard – with a 100 percent local team,” Mr Hilton said.
“I’m really proud of Australia’s role in supporting this request – and the smoother, long-lasting roads Honiara will soon enjoy,” the High Commissioner said.
“This project underlines our commitment to supporting well-paid, high skilled jobs for Solomon Islanders – not just upgrading roads, but upgrading the capacity of contractors to deliver and maintain the national road network long into the future.”
The National Transport Fund Road Improvement Project is upgrading eight feeder roads in Honiara including: Panatina Campus repair, road sealing at Down Kola Road, and FFA road at West Kola and Kolale, and road and drainage improvements in Chinatown, central and west Honiara.
In Malaita, three contractors have been appointed to commence improvements to four economic corridors: Busurata, Northeast Malaita, and two sections of the Malaita South Road, including tar sealing of the first five kilometres from Auki.
EMCO Managing Director William (Billy) Emmett encouraged more local companies to collaborate to increase their capacity and skills for bigger contracts.
“EMCO started in 2006 repairing unsealed roads,” Mr Emmett said. “Over the years, we’ve built up our equipment and our workforce and graduated to sealed roads.”
“Solomon Islands companies can do more of this type of work, and for this project, that means good work for 60 Solomon Islanders.”
Minister Fuo’o thanked Australia for its commitment to local contractors through the NTF support.
“With the red kangaroo, we are working together to deliver a more prosperous Solomon Islands,” Minister Fuo’o said.
– AHC
