Parts of the Gwaigeo access road in Ward Two of Central Kwara’ae Constituency, Malaita Province were washed away by a flooded river last week, disrupting transport services to surrounding communities.
The damage has affected access to the APSD Training Centre, Gwaigeo School, the former Taiwanese Technical Mission TTM farm, and the entire Fiu community.
Resident Levite Maesimae said the situation has caused serious difficulties, particularly in transporting agricultural produce and other goods.
Most villagers in the area supply fresh vegetables to the Auki market.
Since the damage occurred, farmers have been forced to carry their produce on foot from their gardens to the main road in order to find the next available transport to the market.
The proposed Gwaigeo Access Road project had earlier been earmarked for rehabilitation by the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The project forms part of the USAID Pacific American Fund (PAF), which aims to improve infrastructure and create economic opportunities in Malaita Province.
However, the project did not proceed as expected after the United States suspended its foreign aid, affecting several key development programmes in the Solomon Islands.
This also affected the Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihood, and Environment (SCALE) Programme, which is funded by USAID in Malaita proving
Communities that rely on the road are now calling on the government to urgently address the problem.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
Photo caption: The wash-away section of Gwaigeo Feeder Road in Ward 2, Central Kwara’ae, Malaita.”
