More communities in Savo-Russell Constituency (SRC) have received fiberglass boats and Outboard Motors (OBMs) recently valued at more than $800, 000, thanks to tax-payers’ money.
The support was aimed at easing transportation difficulties among communities and supporting livelihoods in the constituency.
The transportation project was funded under the constituency’s CDF budget allocation for 2025.
The project consisted of 11 fiberglass boats and 11 units of 40 and 15 horsepower Yamaha Outboard Motors.
Of the 11 boats and engines, 6 were handed over to the first six recipient communities last weekend, while the remaining 5 boats and units of 15 OBMs for the other five communities will be delivered in due course once they are available from the supplier, Y.Sato Marine.
The first six communities which received their equipment were Mane, Marulaon, Kiolene, and Yandina from Russell Islands, and Reko and Balola from Savo Island.
Constituency Development Officer (CDO) George Hassar said the support is part of the office’s ongoing commitment under the leadership of Member of Parliament Honourable Oliver Salopuka towards improving socio-economic livelihoods in the constituency.
“This project support was envisioned to ease transportation difficulties for community members and individuals among the island communities as well as to and from Honiara.
“With no road access on the islands, the only means of transport for our people is by sea using Outboard Motor Engines (OBM).
“So, this will definitely help our people travel to other places in the constituency and to Honiara to access markets, education, work, and health services,” CDO Hassar said.
He added that other major projects the constituency office continues to implement include housing projects, which are currently ongoing on both Savo and Russell Islands.
“Household projects including support to small store operators in various communities was also undertaken in 2025. Under the social sector, musical equipment and building materials including water tanks were delivered to churches and individuals in the constituency. Financial support to Copra buyers and fishers were also prominently supported under the productive sector.
“These initiatives are ongoing and it is the commitment of the constituency office, under Honourable Salopuka’s leadership, to facilitate government-supported initiatives and services for the benefit of our people,” CDO Hassar stressed.
For education sector, CDO Hassar highlighted that the constituency office continues to support students in their education, both secondary and tertiary, through 50 percent payments of their tuition fees under the CDF program.
“The SRC office also secured six scholarships for our students. This year, the office continues to secure scholarships for students under the constituency-based scholarship grants provided by the Ministry of Education.”
The Constituency Development Funds (CDF) is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).
It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and implemented across the 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders, in line with the ministry’s vision: “To empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.”
– MRD
