The Ngella Constituency Office (NCO) has made an initial investment of $1.2 million from its 2024 CDF allocation for the Rara-Moromole road development project.
This investment aims to promote economic growth, improve transportation infrastructure, and enhance connectivity for communities in Ward 8 of the constituency.
The project is a key initiative of the constituency office under the leadership of Honourable Minister for Tourism and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngella Constituency, Choylin Yim Douglas.
This 12-kilometer road segment was first constructed in the 1980s. It begins at Rara School in the northern part of Big Ngella and traverses along the coast to Boromole in the eastern part of the island, where a wharf was proposed to be built.
From Rara, the road cuts through Vatupura, Polomuhu, Borohinaba, and concludes at Boromole, some of the larger communities that will benefit from this road access.
The road provides a vital link for cocoa and coconut farmers, as well as fishermen along the coastal areas. It also connects to various educational and health centers in the region.
Over the years, it deteriorated significantly and was eventually abandoned, making it impassable for vehicles. As a result, both inland and coastal communities, including farmers, have struggled to transport their copra and other goods to nearby jetties or wharfs for shipment to markets such as Tulagi and Honiara for sale.
The current development effort seeks to restore and upgrade this vital infrastructure to serve the needs of the local communities, farmers, and fishermen once more.
Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Robert Manebona said the current road work has now reached Polomuhu and is progressing well.
“For now, the work is focused on surface clearing and road alignment in preparation for proper road construction and finishing activities, awaiting possible funding from the government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) next year,” CDO Manebona explained.
He emphasized that it is the ongoing commitment and effort of the constituency office, under MP Choylin’s leadership, to continue supporting development initiatives that will bring tangible benefits to everyone and boost economic growth and prosperity.
“Providing an enabling environment, like road access, is paramount to ensure people can engage in economic activities to sustain their livelihoods.”
Meanwhile, Polomuhu Community Chief and President of Ward 8 House of Chiefs, Charles Roko, acknowledged the national government through MP Douglas’s leadership for taking the initiative to rehabilitate the road access.
He said that such access is a way forward to ensure connectivity to markets and essential services like health and education.
“This road is a step forward for us. Once completed, it is expected to facilitate easier transportation, improve access to healthcare and education services, and foster economic growth in the region,” he said.
Last week, a team of officers from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), accompanied by CDO Manebona, visited the project and conducted an inspection focused on road alignment to assess its current state and ensure it meets the required standards for safety and efficiency.
During the inspection, the team held awareness sessions with communities to emphasize the importance of their active participation and support for the road project. These discussions aimed to foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility towards the successful implementation of the initiative.
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
