Following completion of the geo-technical survey required to determine underground conditions and the suitable pile-driving method for the Ahanga wharf project in Rennell Bellona Province, the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has commenced backfilling and compaction.
This construction phase aims to strengthen the access route built towards the sea, facilitating the driving of the Concrete Hollow Steel (CHS) Pipes foundation for the wharf approach, bridge, and T-head.
Gabions will be constructed on both sides of the access to mitigate erosion and siltation, thereby protecting the access and the marine environment within the immediate coastal area.
“This is a crucial step for the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), ensuring proper access for construction equipment and workers during the CHS pipe foundation installation.
“It also provides a stable foundation that supports the overall integrity and functionality of the wharf structure,” a statement from the contractor said.
The statement said that for this phase, they used gravel and crushed rocks.
“The next steps include driving foundation piles, conducting pile testing, and, once approved, lifting and installing superstructures with heavy machinery, followed by concreting, slabbing, installing wharf furniture, and related tasks.”
CCECC remains committed to community service, having repaired the main unsealed road to facilitate improved travel for the island residents and transportation of project materials.
This contractor also engaged local labour, creating employment opportunities for the Bellonese people.
The project’s complexity necessitates the hiring of additional skilled personnel from Honiara, such as operators, welders, concreters, masons, carpenters, and steel fixers.
Supported by funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government, this maritime project underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing national transport infrastructure—an essential component for economic and social development in rural and remote areas.
This Polynesian outlier, with an estimated population of over 3,000, along with its sister island Rennell, has long faced challenges due to inadequate maritime infrastructure and irregular shipping services, which impact economic development.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s (MID’s) Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division (TIMSD) continues to collaborate with the LMCP-engaged Construction Supervision Consultant, KEI-TEDI, to oversee the project’s implementation alongside the Honiara Port upgrade and Kirakira Wharf.
The project is scheduled for completion by July 2026.
– MID
