THE Australian Government is delivering 13 new community-partnership projects to 13 schools and communities in the country.
To formalise the delivery of the projects, the Australian High Commission hosted a project signing ceremony at its Annex Building in Honiara which will be delivered through the ‘Direct Aid Program’ under the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership.
The Project Coordinators for the 13 projects – 12 of whom have travelled to Honiara from Malaita, Choiseul, Temotu, Rennell and Bellona, Guadalcanal and Isabel provinces – signed the project agreements with the Australia High Commissioner, Rod Hilton.
The projects are as follows:
- GS Faisi Technical Vocational School Project East Honiara Constituency;
- Bubumala Water Supply Project North-West Guadalcanal Constituency;
- Taubangibo Borehole Brackish Water Project and Hatagua Community School Hall Project Rennell & Bellona Constituency;
- Halevaka Canoe House Project Temotu Vatud Constituency;
- Baenga Primary School Ablution Block Temotu Nende Constituency;
- Raeao Community Hall & Resource Centre East Are’Are Constituency;
- Mt Olive Primary School Ablution Block Project and Taba’a Parish Ablution Block North Malaita Constituency;
- Horara Shoreline Protection Project Gao/Bugotu Constituency;
- Katova High School Ablution Block Project Hograno/Kia/Havulei Constituency;
- Wagina Community High School Project South Choiseul Constituency; and
- Nukiki Foot Bridge Project North-West Choiseul Constituency.
Australia will directly support these communities based on the projects which were identified by the 13 Project Coordinators.
“The projects are widely spread across Solomon Islands.
“Australia is proud to support the community partnership projects, whether it’s short-term or long-term projects,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
Australia received 61 applications, however, only 13 managed to go through.
“Your projects have been selected by merit because we have been impressed with the standard of the applications that you sent us.
“Your project applications clearly told us that the projects will benefit the communities,” High Commissioner Hilton added.
Project Coordinator of Taubangibo Borehole Brackish Water Project Rennell & Bellona Constituency, Jeffery Hatingongo, thanked the Australian Government and people of Australia for accepting their project application.
He said water is the biggest issue in his community situated on Bellona island.
There are water tanks in the community, but they would not solve the water issue there.
Mr Hatingongo said the borehole project will establish a sustainable water source because it will provide water during both the dry and wet season.
Project Officer for South Choiseul Constituency, Caroline Galo said their project is for a footpath as well as solar lighting for Wagina Community High School Project.
“I want to thank the Australian Government through DFAT or Direct Aid Program for enabling us to support Wagina High School.
“This project is not for this time, but it is for the future of our students because students are the future of our constituency,” she added.
Secretary of Taba’a Parish Ablution Block Project in North Malaita Constituency, Selina Fioli said, “We really need this project.”
Ms Fioli said this project will upgrade their standard of living in terms of sanitation.
“I want to thank the Australian Government. I appreciate what Australia will do to our community and people. We really appreciate this Ablution Block Project,” she added.
Taba’a Parish will be hosting the Diocese Synod Conference for Mother’s Union next year and the community really needs the ablution block for the conference.
After the conference, the Taba’a Parish and the community will take ownership of it for community use and also for gatherings.
Project Contractor of Mt Olive Primary School, Elson Labufunu said their project is for an ablution block.
He said this project will bring ‘civilisation’ to their school and community.
Mr Labufunu uttered this remark as children in his community have never used a modern toilet facility.
When this project is implemented and completed, the school children of Mt Olive will for the first time have access to a proper sanitation facility at school.
Mr Labufunu said people in his community will be happy about this project because it will be their first time to use a proper toilet facility and water tap.
“This is a huge achievement for the school.
“My heart is filled with joy and I thank the Australian High Commission, Australian Government and the people of Australia, including taxpayers for making the funding available to us to have our first ablution block in our school and community,” Mr Labufunu added.
He said the Australian Government is so kind that it can see their needs and support them immediately.
Australia is continuing to touch the lives of rural communities in the country with its community partnership projects.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
