CLAUDIUS TEI’IFI – the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kwaio Constituency – is the new Chairman of the SBD1.9 billion-dollar Bina Harbour International Seaport Project in Malaita.
The appointment was announced in the West Kwaio Constituency social media Facebook page last week.
“Our Member of Parliament Hon. Claudius Tei’ifi has been formally appointed (on) 18th March 2025 as the Chairman of Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Project Sub Committee of the Cabinet.
“The objective of the Committee is to manage and implement GNUT Flagship Policy on Bina Harbour Project,” the published announcement said.
As Chairman, his mandate is outlined in a seven-point plan issued by the Cabinet subcommittee which made the appointment.
1. Ensure the TOR of the Committee are implemented;
2. Calls for meeting and chairs the Committee meetings;
3. Ensures the Committee meets … at least once a month, and (that its) reports
are of high standards and quality, and (that) Committee reports are submitted to Cabinet through the Prime Minister on (a) regular and timely basis;
4. Regularly briefs the Prime Minister on the (Committee’s) work and progress (as
well as) manages and deals with possible conflict of interests by any
Committee members;
5. Provide Strategic Policy Direction and oversight to the Bina Harbour Tuna
Processing concerning its effective and successful implementation within the specified time frame;
6. Assist Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to foster collaboration among
local communities, government bodies, investors, and other relevant
stakeholders; and,
7. Provide timely updates and relevant information to … Cabinet regarding the
(progress of the) project
In 2019, Reuters reported that the United States would fund the Bina Harbour Project under the steam of the M4D. Things have since changed after no show by the US Government.
There’s been no tangible evidence about the impact of Winrock’s SCALE Project, which ended last year. Calls for an audit of Winrock’s funding has gone on deaf ears
Now the People’s Republic of China appears to be the only potential donor to fund Bina Harbour.
MP Tei’ifi’s conviction that only Beijing has the resources to undertake the project propelled him to join the GNUT government last December.
According to an article published by The Sunday Guardian on July 9, 2023, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Nestor Ghiro, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chairman of the China National Fisheries Corporation (CNFC) in Beijing in May of the same year.
The signing of the MOU reportedly opened the door for the China Engineering and Construction Company and China Harbour Engineering Company to seek financing for the project, estimated to cost US$180 million (abt. SBD1.6 billion).
In a separate report published in February this year, the cost has been revised upwards to the tune of USD232 million (SBD1.9 billion), which includes the cost of infrastructure and other supporting projects.
Commentators this week described the setting up of the Committee as “a milestone for Bina Harbour Project, which shows the GNUT Commitment to … implement the Bina Harbour Project”.
Some say the MP Tei’ifi’s Committee face two challenges in carrying out its tasks.
Within the GNUT but specifically in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet lurks a shadowy group known as the Northern Corridor. This group is more interested in supporting major projects in North Malaita.
“They will do everything to frustrate major projects in other parts of Malaita,” one observer told Solomon Star.
“Hon Claudius and his team will just have to be vigilant in dealing with senior officials there,” the observer said.
The other problem is to do with who the Committee members are.
“Get the right people and you are on your way. Get the wrong people and you are reduced to the business-as-usual syndrome where nothing gets done because the interest resolves around collecting huge pay cheque every fortnight for doing nothing,” the man said.
By Alfred Sasako
